Ghost of Christmas Past

Question 1

Character summary of GoCPa

Answer 1

• 1st of three spirits
• takes Scrooge to observe various scenes from his past. Dickens adopts sympathetic tone during stave causing reader to understand how his past has shaped his character in present

Question 2

Appearance of Ghost of Christmas Past (quotes)

Answer 2

• wears a tunic “of purest white” - purity/innocence. Also alludes to biblical image of Jesus (who wears white/moral authority)
• “jet of light” that Spirit emits - develops motif of light throughout novella, symbolises goodness/innocence/comforting warmth to coldness of Scrooge
• “like a child” but also “like an old man” - juxtaposing descriptions illustrate impossibility of Spirit’s existence/supernatural theme

Question 3

GoCPa Power dynamic with Scrooge

Answer 3

• Scrooge immediately challenges authority of Spirit, questioning “what business” brought Spirit to him
• Spirit retains power once showing Belle, “show no more!”
• Scrooge, in denial, attempts to put out light emitted from Spirit - blocking out truth/hope. “Could not hide the light”- has started changing, far from complete