Friday, April 17, 2009

In A Christmas Carol, why did the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come not speak ?

There may be a number of reasons why Charles Dickens chooses to have the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come remain silent, even while the previous two ghosts are quite talkative. The silence of this ghost lends an air of mystery and dread, and Scrooge admits he is frightened. The black robe that shrouds the Ghost's face conjures an image of the Grim Reaper, and indeed this Ghost does show Scrooge many images of death, including a scene where the Cratchit family mourns Tiny Tim, a scene where Scrooge hears himself being talked about as if he is dead, and a scene where Scrooge sees his own tombstone in the churchyard. The silence of the Ghost implies a sort of inevitability of these possible outcomes; unlike the previous two Ghosts, Scrooge is not able to ask questions, nor to argue or defend himself or his actions. The silence also adds an air of loneliness and underscores Scrooge's lack of desire to maintain relationships with family, friends, or neighbors. Scrooge can only had his own voice, and this emphasizes his aloneness, as well as the fact that the only thing that can help prevent these possible outcomes has to come from Scrooge himself: his own initiative, his own words and deeds.

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