Dickens uses the
Ghost of Christmas Past to
give the reader an insight into Scrooge's early life. On their
journey
together, the reader learns about Scrooge's childhood, for instance, in which he led
an
isolated existence at boarding school. The only love and kindness he
received came from his
sister, Fanny, but she died in her youth. Moreover,
the reader also learns about Scrooge's
failed engagement to Belle, the memory
of which evokes much pain.
These
memories are significant
because they enable the reader to understand why Scrooge became such a
cold-hearted man. In addition, by confronting these experiences, Scrooge takes the first
steps
on the path to redemption. The Ghost of Christmas, therefore, is
instrumental in bringing
Scrooge's past to the forefront of the story so that
he might understand the importance of love
and of Christmas, more
generally.
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