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The Ghosts - Coggle Diagram
The Ghosts
Jacob Marley
Context
Marley’s Ghost can be seen as a physical representation of the Christian belief system of heaven and hell and the importance of repentance and redemption. He is shown by Dickens to be in
purgatory, which would have shocked the Victorian Era as they were highly religious.
“no rest, no peace. Incessant torture of
remorse”
- Diacope of "no" emphasises the struggles he is experiencing due to his misanthropic life. Dickens utilises Marley to act as a mouthpiece for a call for change aimed at the higher class who neglected their social responsibility - something Dickens was highly against
- The two short and simple sentences create a sense of tension by increasing the pace. pace.
- In addition, it mirrors the trapped and claustrophobic feelings Marley is experiencing in
purgatory.
- Furthermore, Dickens subverts the rule of three in the first sentence. By stopping after two clauses Dickens leaves the sentence feeling unfinished, causing the reader to feel uncomfortable. This may perhaps be to mirror Scrooge’s uncomfortable
feelings towards the ghost, allowing the reader to empathise with his character. It could also be to subconsciously change the readers responsibility towards society
- The reference to "torture" subconsciously forces the reader to think of the predator or attacker. However, the attacker here is himself due to his neglection of the poor. This juxtaposing idea that Dickens creates could be used to reflect on his contrasting beliefs with Malthusian ideas which consisted of supporting the poor people dying for a balanced population
- "incessant" alludes to the idea of continuing until death. This links to the Christian belief, common in the Victorian era, of memento mori which stated we will all experience death. Moreover, this is a unitarian christian mouthpiece of criticism from Dickens for his audience to redeem themselves before death
Scrooge's reaction
scrooge fell upon his knees and clasped his hands before his face analysis
- reference to "fell upon his knees" alludes to the Bible verse which introduces the essential idea of religion in the Victorian Era. Moreover, the reference to religion which was highly looked upon emphasises Scrooge's fear and trepidation.
Appearance
"The chain he drew was clasped about his middle. It was long and wound about him like a tail"
- "clasped" links to the idea of "clasping" someone's hand. This alludes to how a higher more dominant spirit is controlling Marley, emphasising the restrictiveness he is suffering from. Moreover, this allusion to a higher spirit enforces the idea of the Victorian class system which supported that the poor deserved to stay poor and nothing could be done about it due to it being caused from luck. Dickens cleverly places this idea simultaneously with the horrific appearance of Marley to express his horrific opinions on this and call for change.
- "middle" emphasises how he is suffering in every possible form and direction. He cannot escape
- simile/zoomorphism imagery of "tail" alludes to animalistic imagery, implying how restricted his life has become. Moreover, animals would have been at the bottom of the Victorian Class System, a common belief, emphasising the merciless nature he lives in now
- "chain" links to images of hell
"again the spectre raised a cry, and shook its chain and wrung its shadowy hands"
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