In Charles Dickens' classic tale "A Christmas Carol," the ghost of Jacob Marley visits his former friend and partner Ebeneezer Scrooge late on Christmas Eve. No year is given, but the novella was published in 1843 and appears to be a more or less contemporary story.
The other three spirits were, according to Marley, to have visited Scrooge every night for three successive nights beginning that very evening at midnight. However, after the manifestations have passed, Scrooge discovers to his delight that they concluded their business all on the same evening, so that it is only Christmas morning when the last vision ends.
Jacob Marley appeared to Ebeneezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve.
He did so to tell him how he was doomed to haunt the earth while carrying the weight of many chains because he was greedy while on earth. He warns Scrooge that his fate will be even worse unless he changes. Marley also warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts that night-the Ghosts of Christmases past, present, and future.
Christmas Eve 1843
24th December 1843 for Jacob Marley and the three ghosts from 1am Christmas day
Scrooge's reference to the anniversary of Marley's death foreshadowed Marley's ghost visiting him later that night. The mention of the anniversary hinted at the ghostly encounters that were about to begin, leading to Scrooge's transformation.
He removes 2 pennies used to keep Marleys eyes closed and then signs the death register taking ownership of all Marley's books, ledgers accounts and home
Jacob Marley came to Ebenezer Scrooge after seven years of his death to warn him about the consequences of his selfish and greedy ways. Marley's ghost hoped to save Scrooge from sharing the same fate of being trapped in chains and torment for eternity, urging him to change his ways before it was too late.
Jacobs return was the start of the changes that Scrooge was to undertake before Christmas Day. Marley tells Scrooge that he (Marley) will walk the earth for eternity because of his attitude to his fellow man. It was a punishment that he did not want Scrooge to endure
Scrooge's partner ,Jacob Marley, died on Christmas Eve. There is also the fact that Scrooge himself hates to see other people happy.
He was working in his counting house as it was Christmas Eve 1837
Marley's ghost commanded Scrooge to change his ways and to mend his selfish and greedy behavior. He warned Scrooge that if he did not, he would suffer the same fate as Marley, being bound in chains for eternity.
Christmas Eve 1837
The third ghost that came to visit Ebenezer Scrooge in a Christmas Carol was the Ghost of Christmas Present, if you include Marley's ghost, but if you do not include Marley, then the third (and therefore last) ghost was that of the Christmas Yet to Come, a spectral ghost whose most terrifying feature was that of his muted voice.
He died on Christmas Eve seven years prior to the story being told. - Its impossible to give apage number as book layouts and version vary but it will be found in Stave one - Reference to Marley dying is made to the two businessmen seeking a charitable donation from Scrooge