A Christmas Carol Question

[Trekker4747]

So, I have a question about A Christmas Carol.

The Ghost of Jacob Marley tells Scrooge that he (Scrooge) will be visited by three seperate ghosts (Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come) over the course of the next few nights. Which is... odd. First of all, Jacob tells Scrooge this on Christmas Eve, so the hauntings occuring on nights after Christmas seems an odd way to turn Scrooge's Christmas spirits, secondly they all come on the same night!

So what gives? Did Jacob Marley just not get the latest memo?

TO: The Ghost of Jacob Marley
FROM: The Powers of The After
RE: Scrooge's Hauntings.

Jacob -

We've decided we're going to haunt Scrooge all in one night. It seems his nephew and head subordinate are having their holiday meals the night after your visit and we'd really like to turn him around for those events, besides it'd be nice to change his mind around Christmas time rather than after it. So please update your haunting speech to reflect these change in plans. Thanks. If Scrooge's turn around pans out, we'll look into removing some of your afterlifey burdens.

Thanks, The Ghosts.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I thought it was always supposed to take place over the course of just one night. When did you ever hear otherwise?

 

[T'Baio]

For the dead, time has no meaning.

Literally.

 

[Gojirob]

So, I have a question about A Christmas Carol.

The Ghost of Jacob Marley tells Scrooge that he (Scrooge) will be visited by three seperate ghosts (Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come) over the course of the next few nights. Which is... odd. First of all, Jacob tells Scrooge this on Christmas Eve, so the hauntings occuring on nights after Christmas seems an odd way to turn Scrooge's Christmas spirits, secondly they all come on the same night!

So what gives? Did Jacob Marley just not get the latest memo?

TO: The Ghost of Jacob Marley
FROM: The Powers of The After
RE: Scrooge's Hauntings.

Jacob -

We've decided we're going to haunt Scrooge all in one night. It seems his nephew and head subordinate are having their holiday meals the night after your visit and we'd really like to turn him around for those events, besides it'd be nice to change his mind around Christmas time rather than after it. So please update your haunting speech to reflect these change in plans. Thanks. If Scrooge's turn around pans out, we'll look into removing some of your afterlifey burdens.

Thanks, The Ghosts.

Can't say entirely, but perhaps the impression of successive nights is given to make Scrooge feel the torment of the wrongs he must forsake. Since he repented, it was reset to all happen in one night--which remember, he is greatly surprised by upon waking.

 

[Trekker4747]

I thought it was always supposed to take place over the course of just one night. When did you ever hear otherwise?

It's in the original text:

LINK

"You will be haunted," resumed the Ghost, "by Three Spirits."

Scrooge's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost's had done.

"Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?" he demanded, in a faltering voice.

"It is."

"I -- I think I'd rather not," said Scrooge.

"Without their visits," said the Ghost, "you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first tomorrow, when the bell tolls one."

"Couldn't I take `em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?" hinted Scrooge.

"Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third upon the next night when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to vibrate. Look to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake, you remember what has passed between us!"

 

[Gojirob]

SOT note : Until I saw the original text, I had always thought that the part where Scrooge says 'take them all at once' was something a modern writer, trying to be hip, stuck in. To me it sounded almost too snarky to be from Dickens time.