Connections Example: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
1. Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Past
In A Christmas Carol, three ghosts, who attempt to convince
him to change his demeaning ways, visit Ebenezer. The first of
the visitors is the infamous ghost of Christmas Past, and it takes
Ebenezer on a trip back into time. During this journey,
Ebenezer is reminded of the happy times he had during his
childhood, as well as the incidences that have scarred his ego to
make him the villain he has become.
2. The Ghost of Christmas Past and Tiny Tim
Although these two characters never meet in the story, both
have an impact on Ebenezer Scrooge and his decision to reform
his thinking. The ghost attempts to use events from his past to
change Ebenezer’s future. Tiny Tim indirectly affects Ebenezer
because when Ebenezer realizes all that he has compared to
Tiny Tim, he is overcome with guilt. The ghost helped him to
realize how fortunate he was at Tiny Tim’s age to at least have
his health. Yet Tiny Tim, with all of his physical problems is
still much stronger emotionally and much more confident than
Ebenezer, who appears to have enough money to satisfy even
the greediest of people.
3. Tiny Tim and Marley
Although these two characters never meet in the story, both
cause Ebenezer Scrooge to stop and think about what his future
could bring, and yet, how he still has time to change it. Marley
had been his business partner, yet warns him that his continued
greediness will leave him a lonely, bitter man. Tiny Tim, the
son of Ebenezer’s employee, has a heart and temperament
exactly the opposite of Ebenezer’s. Once Ebenezer decides to
follow Marley’s advice, it is Tiny Tim who is a beneficiary of
the new and improved loving Ebenezer.
4. Marley and crutches
Both Marley and the crutches were used to help someone in the
story—Marley was used to help Ebenezer to understand that
three ghosts would visit him that infamous evening. Had
Marley not visited, it is highly unlikely that Ebenezer would not
go with these strange spirits or give any credibility to what they
had to say. Likewise, the crutches were used to help the
disabled Tiny Tim walk. Without them, he would have been
forced to a life limited by existing only in his house.
5. Crutches and Ebenezer Scrooge
While crutches are often used to help those with physical
problems (as in Tiny Tim’s case), in Ebenezer’s case, he used
the crutch of having money and power to isolate himself from
his family and society. By hiding behind the power his wealth
afforded him, Ebenezer refused to establish relationships with
family, friends, or society as a whole. In the end, his visits with
three spirits teach him that his money and position can be used
for the good of all in his town, including his own well-being and
happiness.