In Class Essay

Parker Verhoeff

Mr. Salsich

9th Grade English

December 4 2008

In, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Marley's ghost returns from the dead and explains to Scrooge how to live his life. Marley's ghost also tells him what will happen to him if he keeps leading a life of bitterness and coldness. Marley tries to tell Scrooge this, before he too is left to wander between heaven and hell.

TS: Marley explains, "It is required of every man [...] that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen [...] if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death." he is left to wander for eternity searching for what he didn't accomplish while he was alive. SD: Since Marley didn't "walk among his fellowmen", he wears chains that represent his troubles during life, and his troubles during life represents his chains. CM: Marley states "I wear the chain I forged in life [...] I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it." because he he must drag his burdens along with him. CM: But he made it clear that it was all his fault, it was on his "own free will". SD: He tells Scrooge that he must acknowledge everyone and stop his misanthropic ways; stop hating people for no reason. CM: If Scrooge doesn't want to end up like him, he should change his whole outlook on life. CS: Marley tries very well to make Scrooge see what could happen to him, but I still don't think Scrooge understands it yet.

Marley's ghost is very informative, and is a good example of what Scrooge could end up as. He explains how he needs to change, and what will happen to him if he doesn't. Marley tries to get his point across before it's too late.