The Ghost of Christmas Present is the second of three spirits who haunt Ebenezer Scrooge in the live-action adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol.
Background[]
Physical appearance[]
In the original Charles Dickens novel, the Ghost of Christmas Present is described as thus:
- “It was clothed in one simple deep green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment hung so loosely on the figure, that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be warded or concealed by any artifice. Its feet, observable beneath the ample folds of the garment, were also bare; and on its head it wore no other covering than a holly wreath, set here and there with shining icicles. Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. Girded round its middle was an antique scabbard; but no sword was in it, and the ancient sheath was eaten up with rust.”
- ―A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Just about every iteration of the Ghost of Christmas Present retains the basic appearance of a large man in green robes and a headdress made of holly. The 2009 depiction is the only one to keep the empty scabbard, something that is usually neglected in most other adaptations. All adaptations also show the spirit slowly aging, resulting in his beard and hair turning grey and then white.
The DuckTales version makes the character into a pig who, ironically, is still alive, at least for a ghost, and does not possess a beard.
Personality[]
The Ghost of Christmas Present is usually depicted as a boastful, jolly fellow who has a habit of laughing and giggling. Despite his happy appearance, he hides a darker, and quite possibly sinister, undertone. The 2009 version depicts him as being somewhat gleeful in showing how Scrooge is negatively seen among the people around him, becoming terse with him when he begins to show empathy towards Tiny Tim despite previously wishing death among poor people like him. The Muppet version does not have any of the sinister motives and just genuinely wants to help Scrooge be a better person. Upon his passing, he referred to the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come as if he were an old friend.
The DuckTales version lives up to being a party animal, referencing his association with the abundance of food and drink, and is even willing to party with the Beagle Boys despite their criminal activity. He is also shown to be something of a flirt, trying to get close with Bentina Beakley, despite her being more interested in Yet to Come.
Role in the film[]
The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge affairs as they are in the present day and the joy of Christmas in general while "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" is playing in the background.
The first thing the ghost shows Scrooge is Bob Cratchit eating Christmas dinner with his impoverished family with what little money Scrooge pays him for a roast goose.
Next, the ghost shows Fred and his friends playing party games after their Christmas dinner, which Scrooge earlier refused an invitation to.
Then, Scrooge and the ghost appear inside a clock tower. Scrooge points out that the spirit is now older. The ghost explains his time on earth is very brief and that it ends at midnight.
Finally, the ghost warns Scrooge about Ignorance and Want. Specifically, in what peril poor people would be if Scrooge did not change his ways. After his meeting with Scrooge is over, the Ghost of Christmas Present erodes into a skeleton, which soon turns into dust as it blows away. The nearby clock tower strikes 12 and Scrooge meets the next ghost.
Appearances in Disney media[]
DuckTales (2017)[]
A version of the Ghost of Christmas Present appears in the 2017 reboot of DuckTales in the episode "Last Christmas!" voiced by Bill Fagerbakke. This version is depicted as an anthropomorphic pig and is no bigger than Scrooge McDuck himself (as opposed to most portrayals that have him as a towering man).
He, along with the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future visit Scrooge McDuck every year just to hang out after accidentally visiting him instead of Ebenezer Scrooge. The group take Scrooge to his first Christmas party held at McDuck Manor where Present attempts to hit on Bentina Beakley, then still going by the name Agent 22, but fails as she ends up dancing with Future. When the Beagle Boys break in and begin stealing Scrooge's things, Present ends up leaving with them as he thinks they are more fun.
He later attends Scrooge McDuck's Christmas party back in the present.
Disney characters portraying Christmas Present[]
- Willie the Giant - Portrayed the role in Mickey's Christmas Carol.
- Rolly - Portrayed the role in the 101 Dalmatians: The Series episode A Christmas Cruella
- Narrator - Portrayed the role in Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo.
Gallery[]
External links[]
The Ghost of Christmas Present on WikipediaThe Ghost of Christmas Present on Christmas Specials Wiki
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