Marley Quotes

    Cards (6)

    • “The chain he drew was clasped about his middle.” (Stave 1)
      • Theme: Selfishness / Materialism
      • This shows how Marley cannot escape this endless torture. Marley is a physical and metaphorical representation for how if making money and materialism is the main purpose to your life, then it will be the main reason for your eternal suffering.
    • “I wear the chain I forged in life… I made it link by link.” (Stave 1)
      • Theme: Selfishness / Materialism
      • As chains are made of links, which are all interconnecting, this is alike to how Marley is warning Scrooge that his infatuation with money and abandonment of compassion for others is directly connected to his anguish.
    • “His chain was long and wound about him like a tail.” (Stave 1)
      • Theme: Social Injustice / Poverty
      • The similie implies that his egoism and selfishness has lead to his animalistic treatment in hell. Thus, due to the social injustices he contributed to, he is now having to lead a dehumanising existence in the afterlife.
    • “Scrooge fell upon his knees and clasped his hands before his face.” (Stave 1)
      • Theme: Supernatural
      • Scrooge is horrified through the supernatural presentation of Marley - portrayed as an ideal ghost, terrifying in nature and and pained in its suffering in attempt to elicit a reaction from Scrooge to pressure him into changing.
    • “Dragging a heavy chain.” (Stave 1)
      • Theme: Religion
      • A chain symbolises restriction. Through Marley, his chain is a metaphor for the eternal consequences of being avaricious. The verb “dragging” suggests Marley has been carrying these punishments for a long time - God has made him subject to this pain in hell.
    • “Mankind was my business.” (Stave 1)
      • Theme: Redemption / Regret
      • Marley deeply regrets his decision to be a misanthropic miser. He tries to warn Scrooge, however Scrooge sees his worth as his value in business. Scrooge’s ignorant mindset is shown when he can’t understand Marley’s suffering.
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