The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol
- Jolly
- Welcoming
The Ghost of Christmas Present is a huge and vibrant character who appears as the bell, once again, strikes one. It appears in Scrooge's room, surrounded by a feast. The generous nature of this ghost is reflected in the abundant vision of food.
Scrooge is more humble in the presence of this second spirit and is willing to learn any lessons the ghost will show.
It shows Scrooge visions of the world on Christmas Day, including heart-warming scenes of celebration at the homes of Bob Cratchit and Scrooge's nephew, Fred.
Before it leaves Scrooge, the Ghost shows him two 'yellow, meagre' children who are hiding under its cloak. These are called Ignorance and Want and are a warning to Scrooge to change his ways.
Learn more about the three ghosts in this podcast
Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds.
| How is the Ghost like this? | Evidence | Analysis | |
| Jolly | Dickens describes the ghost as open and cheerful - in actions and appearance. | Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. | The adjectives that Dickens uses are positive and present a solid big and 'joyful' character, in contrast to the indistinct spirit of Christmas Past. |
| Welcoming | The Ghost invites Scrooge to join him in a welcoming manner. | "Come in!" exclaimed the Ghost. "Come in! and know me better, man!" | The word 'exclaimed' makes the Ghost seem excited to see Scrooge. His invitation to 'know me better' is generous and open-hearted. |
| Honest | When Scrooge asks whether Tiny Tim will live, the Ghost answers with the words Scrooge had previously spoken to the portly gentlemen who were collecting for charity. | "If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." | The Ghost of Christmas Present uses Scrooge's own words against him. In his honest response, that Tiny Tim is likely to die, he holds a mirror up to Scrooge and his behaviour. |
| Prophetic | The Ghost predicts that Mankind, Scrooge included, will suffer unless the lessons of generosity and tolerance are learned. | "Most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased." | He presents two children called 'Ignorance' and 'Want' hiding under his cloak. He warns that 'Doom' awaits Scrooge unless a change is made. |
| Jolly | |
|---|---|
| How is the Ghost like this? | Dickens describes the ghost as open and cheerful - in actions and appearance. |
| Evidence | Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. |
| Analysis | The adjectives that Dickens uses are positive and present a solid big and 'joyful' character, in contrast to the indistinct spirit of Christmas Past. |
| Welcoming | |
|---|---|
| How is the Ghost like this? | The Ghost invites Scrooge to join him in a welcoming manner. |
| Evidence | "Come in!" exclaimed the Ghost. "Come in! and know me better, man!" |
| Analysis | The word 'exclaimed' makes the Ghost seem excited to see Scrooge. His invitation to 'know me better' is generous and open-hearted. |
| Honest | |
|---|---|
| How is the Ghost like this? | When Scrooge asks whether Tiny Tim will live, the Ghost answers with the words Scrooge had previously spoken to the portly gentlemen who were collecting for charity. |
| Evidence | "If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." |
| Analysis | The Ghost of Christmas Present uses Scrooge's own words against him. In his honest response, that Tiny Tim is likely to die, he holds a mirror up to Scrooge and his behaviour. |
| Prophetic | |
|---|---|
| How is the Ghost like this? | The Ghost predicts that Mankind, Scrooge included, will suffer unless the lessons of generosity and tolerance are learned. |
| Evidence | "Most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased." |
| Analysis | He presents two children called 'Ignorance' and 'Want' hiding under his cloak. He warns that 'Doom' awaits Scrooge unless a change is made. |
