supernatural

• During the Victorian era, the Gothic genre began to permeate literature, encompassing supernatural themes which were particularly popular at the time
• The Victorian era was considered a 'golden age' for gothic and supernatural motifs, a trend which Dickens explored, as noted by John Forster in 'The Life of Charles Dickens'
• Dickens branded 'A Christmas Carol' as a ghost story, a theme that provides a logical structure to the plot, with the three Ghosts acting as catalysts to Scrooge's transformation
• Dickens presents Scrooge's character as somewhat supernatural, only depicted as one of two extremes, emphasizing his transformation and acknowledging his supernatural qualities
• The beliefs and authority of The Church greatly influenced public perception of the supernatural, with ideas either following the teachings of The Bible or contradicting them
• Dickens incorporates the concept of purgatory in 'A Christmas Carol', recognizing it in Stave One when Scrooge sees the air "filled with phantoms", adhering to biblical teachings surrounding this idea
• Dickens uses religious doctrines to create a believable narrative, appealing particularly to religious Victorians, enhancing the impact of the novella
• The Ghost of Christmas Past in 'A Christmas Carol' is a personification of the past, appearing as a paradoxical figure that combines characteristics of an old man and a child
• The Ghost of Christmas Present in 'A Christmas Carol' resembles 'Father Christmas' and is characterized as a jolly giant, with a dominating presence and the ability to spread joy
• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is described not as a Ghost but as a "phantom", drawing parallels between the ghost and the Grim Reaper, a personification of death
• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come wears a "deep black garment which concealed its head, its face, its form and left nothing visible except one outstretched hand", establishing a sense of doom through the spirit
• Ignorance and Want are described as "wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable", symbolizing the disease of Ignorance and Want in society, grounded in reality with effects that could cause disastrous consequences if not addressed
• Marley's Ghost is repeatedly emphasized as "dead", with chains of "cashboxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers", illustrating through supernatural means that the way one lives dictates their eternal resting place
• Scrooge's introductory description includes metaphors and similes with a supernatural undertone, suggesting almost superhuman apathy, furthered by the fact that "even the blind men’s dogs appeared to know him"
• Fred's goodness is portrayed as supernatural, with imagery of light surrounding him, symbolizing his goodness and the Christmas spirit within him
• Tiny Tim is described as having an almost supernatural spirit, with his "childish essence from God", highlighting a child-like spirit as the foundation of Christmas Spirit
• The novella's theme of the supernatural develops as Scrooge learns more about himself through each supernatural experience, with each stave becoming more intense until the climax is reached
• The first explicit form of the supernatural is seen when Scrooge's door-knocker transforms into "Marley’s face", aiming to instil feelings of horror within Scrooge
• Scrooge's experiences with the supernatural become more meaningful as he learns how to amend his ways, culminating in the climactic moment of witnessing a "neglected grave of his own name", revealing the ultimate message of the novella