Jacob Marley

• Marley's Ghost

  The first apparition who appears to Scrooge and warns him to change his ways or face the damning consequences in the afterlife
• Marley's Ghost

  • Establishes the friendship between Scrooge and Marley
  • Reflects onto Scrooge's character
  • Outlines the structure of the novella by informing Scrooge about the upcoming Ghosts
• Scrooge and Marley

  • Dickens emphasizes their close, yet superficial relationship by describing them as "partners" and Scrooge as Marley's "sole friend"
  • Lack of companionship in their lives may have caused their bitter attitudes
• "I wear the chains I forged in life": 'Holds a double meaning, both literal and figurative, representing Marley's captivity due to his actions in life'
• "no rest, no peace. Incessant torture of remorse": 'The short, simple sentences create a sense of tension and mirror Marley's trapped and claustrophobic feelings in purgatory'
• "Mankind was my business": 'Reflects Dickens' ideas on social responsibility, highlighting the importance of being socially conscious'