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A Christmas Carol - The Visions Of Things That “May” Be Or “Will” Be
Charles Dickens, in his novel A Christmas Carol, constantly develops the theme of free will over determinism. Scrooge, when met by the ghost of Christmas yet to come, encounters visions of the future. He sees both Tiny Tim’s death and his own death in these visions. He asks the ghost if they are visions of what may be or of what will be. The specter is silent and leaves Scrooge to answer his own question. Dickens also uses the character of Jacob Marley to present what Scrooge can turn out like, if in fact he does not alter his way of life. Throughout the novel, Dickens elaborates upon the idea that it is possible for a person to change their fate, hence the concept of free will.
Jacob Marley is portrayed as a mournful apparition who carries a long chain. The chain is comprised of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel. The specter describes the chain as being, “the chain I forged in life.” Scrooge will also be wearing this chain in his afterlife. Scrooge‘s chain, Marley says, is already longer and heavier than his own. Marley’s ghost makes Scrooge aware that three ghosts will haunt him as he says, “I am here to-night to warn you, that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate. A chance and hope of my procuring, Ebenezer.” (p 53) This is the first mention of Scrooge’s free will to change his destiny. At this point, Scrooge is living a cold life, and he will be spending eternity with a chain to carry around, exactly like his partner. Marley lets Scrooge know that he has a chance to change his future, a chance that he did not have himself. Marley exclaims that he wears his chain of his own free will. “I made it link by link...I girded it on of my own free will.” (p 46) These two quotes are both the first introductions to free will in the novel. Marley is warning Scrooge that he can escape his life of solitude if he listens to the three spirits he will be haunted by. Unfortunately, Marley did not have a chance in his life to change. By his own free will, he wears the chains. Scrooge has the chance to change his destiny. The Ghost of Christmas Present is the next to present to Scrooge the apprehension of free will and determining your own future. Scrooge witnesses Christmas at the Cratchit home. Bob Cratchit, along with his wife and children sit around the table eating Christmas dinner gaily. Tiny Tim, on the verge of death, is the most joyful in the family as he says, “God bless us everyone.” The lighthearted family of the Cratchit’s amazes Scrooge and he cries out asking if Tiny Tim will live. The ghost replies, “If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race will find him here. What then? If he be [next page]