Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the undeniable reality of death, setting the stage for themes of redemption and transformation.
In this opening passage from 'A Christmas Carol', Charles Dickens establishes the fact of Marley's death with a meticulousness that underscores its importance to the narrative. By reiterating Marley's demise and the implications of his death, Dickens hints at the potential for change in Scrooge's life, suggesting that even those who seem unchangeable can experience profound transformation. The mention of official documents signifies that death is an inescapable truth that acts as a catalyst for the events to unfold, ultimately leading to reflections on life, legacy, and the opportunity for redemption.
In practice
During a discussion about the inevitability of death, one might quote this to emphasize the reality we all face.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
Do not grieve yourself too much for those you hate, nor yet forget them utterly.
To have arrived on this earth as a product of a biological accident, only to depart through human arrogance, would be the ultimate irony.
Freedom of speech...Freedom of worship...Freedom from want...Freedom from fear.
We are dominated by the relatively small number of persons who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.
A liberal society stands on the proposition that we should all take seriously the idea that we might be wrong. This means we must place no one, including ourselves, beyond the reach of criticism; it means that we must allow people to err, even where the error offends and upsets, as it often will.
The first thing you must do is forget that I'm Black. Second, you must never forget that I'm Black.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.