Marley

• Key words

  Parsimonious

  Full of avarice

  Dehumanised

  Animalised

  Semipiternal

  Punishment

  Egoism
• Dragging a heavy chain - S1

  A chain symbolises restriction and entrapment. Through Marley's 'dragging a heavy chain', his chain is a conceit for the restricting and eternal consequences of being parsimonious. The tiresome 'dragging' exacerbates that the eternal punishments he is enduring, as it appears he has been carrying these punishments for a long time; he is sempiternally bound to the punishments of his previous life.
• the chain he drew was clasped around his middle.


  Marley in "A Christmas Carol" represents the consequences of prioritizing money and materialism. Pursuing wealth as the main purpose in life leads to eternal suffering, as illustrated by the chains he is bound to. Dickens' message warns against prioritizing material gain over a more meaningful existence.
• The apparition of Jacob Marley in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is a metaphor for the harmful impact of greed on society. Marley's appearance emphasizes the significance of introspection and self-improvement in order to become a better individual. By presenting him as a cautionary figure, Dickens urges readers to assess their own behavior and work towards making positive changes.
• Was long and wound about him like a tail- S1

  A dehumanising and animalistic image is painted of Marley as his chain was 'was long and wound about him like a tail'. The simile 'like a tail' implies that his egoism and selfishness has lead to his animalistic treatment in hell- his disregard for others in his life has led to him being disregarded as an animal in his after life.
• I wear the chain i forged in life...I made it link by link - S1


  Selfishness + Social Injustice

  As chains are made of links, which are all interconnecting, this is alike to how Marley is warning Scrooge that his covetousness is interconnected to his anguish. The chain symbolises restriction and entrapment. Through Marley 'dragging' the chain, his chain is a conceit for the restricting and eternal consequences of being parsimonious and perpetuating social injustice.
• Mankind was my business- S1

  Selfishness + Social Injustice

  Marley serves as Dickens' first mouthpiece using economical language as a critique of society's obsession with material wealth and the relentless pursuit of profit. It foreshadows the grim fate awaiting Scrooge if he fails to learn from the eternal punishment of Marley; being reduced to mere economic terms upon his death - 'cheap funeral', 'marketing the corpse'