marley

• jacob Marley is first referenced in the opening lines of the novella : “Marley was dead, to begin with” and his character only appears in Stave I:

  • Dickens conveys a sense of finality by informing the reader that one of the characters is dead
  • By declaring Marley has been dead seven years before the narrative opens, it sets up the scene for the shock and anguish which Scrooge experiences when he appears to him
• • Marley and Scrooge’s relationship is established from the very beginning:
  • “Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner”
• • Although both were partners for “many years”, the relationship that Dickens presents is one merely associated with business, rather than an affectionate friendship
  • This is further highlighted when Dickens declares that Scrooge “was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event”, which illustrates their shallow relationship and Scrooge’s lack of affection for anyone
• • Marley is described as a terrifying figure and is condemned to wander in heavy chains “made of cash boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds”:
  • These items are all symbols linked to his occupation and are used to signify the obsession he had with business and money while he was alive
• • Marley is a haunted figure and similar to Scrooge, he was once materialistic and self-centered. However, he is now remorseful for his actions:
  • He acknowledges that “charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence” should have been his business
• • Dickens uses Marley’s ghost as an allegorical warning against greed and avarice:
  • Marley declares: “I wear the chain I forged in life” which indicates to the reader that Marley’s predicament is due to his own actions
  • His warning to Scrooge (and to the reader) is that everyone is responsible for their actions and will be held accountable for them
• • Marley is the first spirit to appear to Scrooge and his character introduces a supernatural and religious element to the plot: 
  • Marley could be seen as symbolic of Christian beliefs in Heaven, Hell, and repentance, as he is presented in a purgatory state and is forced to remain there until he has repented for his deeds
• • One of his purposes in the novella is to save Scrooge from a similar fate:
  • Marley is used only to warn Scrooge; he cannot force him to alter his ways as Scrooge must do this himself
  • While Marley could be viewed in an unsympathetic light (as he has caused his own suffering), he could appear to be quite selfless in his motive to help his former partner
• • Marley acts as a catalyst for the transformation of Scrooge:
  • Dickens indicates that Scrooge had a “terrible sensation” after Marley’s visit and it is this fear which first prompts his desire to change