A Christmas Carol Question
Read the following extract from Stave 4 of A Christmas Carol and then answer the question that
follows.
In this extract, Scrooge meets the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.
The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached. When it came near him, Scrooge bent
down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter
gloom and mystery.
It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and
left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. But for this it would have been difficult
to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was
surrounded.
He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious presence
filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.
“I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come?” said Scrooge.
The Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with its hand.
“You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened, but will happen
in the time before us,” Scrooge pursued. “Is that so, Spirit?” The upper portion of the
garment was contracted for an instant in its folds, as if the Spirit had inclined its head. That
was the only answer he received.
Although well used to ghostly company by this time, Scrooge feared the silent shape so
much that his legs trembled beneath him, and he found that he could hardly stand when he
prepared to follow it. The Spirit paused a moment, as observing his condition, and giving
him time to recover.
But Scrooge was all the worse for this. It thrilled him with a vague uncertain horror, to know
that behind the dusky shroud, there were ghostly eyes intently fixed upon him, while he,
though he stretched his own to the utmost, could see nothing but a spectral hand and one
great heap of black.
“Ghost of the Future!” he exclaimed, “I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I
know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I
was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak
to me?”
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Starting with this extract, explore how Dickens presents Scrooge’s fears in “A Christmas Carol”
Write about:
• how Dickens presents what Scrooge is frightened of in this extract.
how Dickens presents what Scrooge is afraid of in the novella as a whole.
