The Ghost
of Christmas Present represents what an authentic life, truly lived, with family, friends, love
and celebration really looks like. Scrooge does not know what it is like to live a real life;
his life is dark and gloomy, dominated by the pursuit of material wealth. He is alone, choosing
to cut himself off from any associations with family or others. He even treats himself in a
miserly way; his home is dark and cold, bare and empty.
His wealth has not
made him happy, in fact in stark contrast to The Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge's wealth is
insignificant compared to what this spirit shows him.
It is a wealth that
does not bring him happiness, a wealth that he does not share but rather uses as protection from
the world. He blocks any and all contact with family or members of society by shielding himself
behind his fortune.
The bounty that The Ghost of Christmas Present shows
Scrooge is in direct contrast to his meager life. This ghost is careful to show Scrooge not
only his own nephew, Fred, who lives comfortably and is happy, but also Bob Cratchit, who lives
on the small salary he earns working for Mr. Scrooge yet is happy and surrounded by
family.
This ghost's job is to show Scrooge that money is not the path to
happiness, a truth that he will discover but must first be forced to look
upon.
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