The Ghost of Christmas Yet to come is more frightening because his features are less distinct and he represents death.
Dickens is very careful to not show too much detail with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The main reasons for this is that the future is unknown. However, the future is also frightening. We do not know what will happen. We do know for sure that at some point in the future we will die.
Scrooge is frightened when he sees this ghost, even though he has already spent a lot of time with the other three ghosts. His fear of this ghost is based on what it represents. Scrooge knows that he was not a very good person. He is hoping to change, but what future will he see?
He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved. (Stave 4)
The ghost does not talk. It is very dark and phantom-like. The other ghosts had personalities and were bright, and the Ghost of Christmas Present was pretty cheerful. This ghost is spooky, like the Grim Reaper.
Scrooge is afraid to see a future based on the person he was. In his mind, he is already repentant.
“Ghost of the Future!” he exclaimed, “I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?” (Stave 4)
When the ghost shows Scrooge his terrible future, where he is lonely and despised, Scrooge begs the phantom to acknowledge that he can change. Scrooge points out that the ghosts have wasted their time if their intervention could not change the future.
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