3 Ghosts

• The three Spirits in "A Christmas Carol" are not depictions of people who have died; instead, they are incarnations of Christmas
• The first two Spirits force Scrooge to reconnect with his past and show him how others are currently celebrating Christmas
• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come gives Scrooge an indication of what the future might be like if he continues to be driven only by money—at the expense of others around him
• Dickens associates the Ghost of Christmas Past with light, symbolizing knowledge and hope
• The Ghost of Christmas Past is not a frightening ghost and is there to help Scrooge reflect on his past
• Scrooge tries to extinguish the light of the Ghost of Christmas Past, symbolizing his attempt to ignore painful memories, but he is unable to extinguish it completely
• The Ghost of Christmas Present is described as a large, happy man, symbolizing goodwill and abundance
• The Ghost of Christmas Present holds a glowing torch, symbolizing knowledge and sheds light on Scrooge's misdemeanours to make him realize the need to change
• Despite their poverty, the Cratchits, miners, and sailors all celebrate Christmas with a sense of community, good will, and singing
• Dickens depicts the final Ghost as the most frightening of them all