Symbolism In A Christmas Carol

In literature, symbolism is a term used to describe an object, character, or situation that represents a larger idea or concept. Symbolism is used in many different ways throughout Charles Dickens’ novella, A Christmas Carol. Symbols are used in this novella, to represent ideas and qualities of different objects. Charles Dickens uses the children Want and Ignorance, Marley’s chains, and the three ghosts as symbols to develop the theme of choices and transformation in his novella, A Christmas Carol. The children Want and Ignorance embody the two roots of all social evils. Ignorance and Want represent society’s abandonment of the poor and the consequences of that abandonment. One of these social evils is revealed in the book, through the
They point out that the choice to what to value in life has endless ramifications, even beyond the grave. Marley’s chains are first mentioned and described, in the quote, “They were succeeded by a clanking noise deep down below as if some person were dragging a heavy chain over the casks in the wine-merchant’s cellar. Scrooge then remembered to have heard that ghosts in haunted houses were described as dragging chains” (Dickens 36). This quote refers to as the chains being something scary or something to be frightful of. The chains make it sound like they represent sins and the harmful things in life. When Marley visits Scrooge, he tells him that he should change his lifestyle and not make the same mistakes as Marley. Therefore, Scrooge is visited by three spirits who help him seek a better way of
The first ghost to appear to Scrooge says, “‘Spirit!’ said Scrooge, ‘ show me no more! Conduct me home. Why do you delight to torture me?’” (Dickens 79). The Ghost of Christmas Past represents the truth, that reveals that Scrooge’s past Christmases were filled with loneliness. This ghost shows Scrooge as a boy and a young man, who goes from being a mean old man who is tortured by his past and doesn’t realize it, by shutting himself up away from everything, even his emotions. The second spirit to appear to Scrooge says, “‘Spirit,’ said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, ‘tell me if Tiny Tim will live’” (Dickens 109). The Ghost of Christmas Present symbolizes joy and generosity of Christmas. This ghost shows Scrooge people enjoying themselves, but Scrooge never enjoys himself, which made him realize the happiness and joy found in togetherness. All the poor people are happy to have each other but Scrooge never felt affection in anyone but Tiny Tim. The audience is shocked to hear Scrooge is positively affected when he says, “‘I will honor Christmas in heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!’” (Dickens 158) The Ghost of