The theme of the supernatural is a big part to the story of A Christmas Carol and therefore is always reoccurring in many variations mostly in the form of ghosts or spirits coming to communicate with the protagonist, Ebenezer Scrooge. The theme of the supernatural is important as during the 19th century, religion was a principle factor in the lives of most people and the topic of ghosts, ghouls and spirits was generally frowned upon so this creates a significant impact on the reader.
During the 1st Stave of A Christmas Carol, it is explained to the reader that the door knocker at the front door to his house has morphed to resemble the face of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. This is an important occurrence of the theme of supernatural as it is told to the reader at the very beginning of the novella that “Marley was dead”. This instils to reader the possibility of Scrooge hallucinating. It is could also perhaps allow the reader to think if Marley has returned from the dead. This event of the supernatural is significant as it is the first supernatural event of the story with many more to come and slowly delve themselves into the later occurrences of more prominent events of paranormal.
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Marley appears in front of Scrooge with a dramatic entrance and is covered in chains and tatty clothes. It is now revealed to the reader as to why the first sentence of the novella was “Marley was dead” followed by the subordinating clause “to begin with”. The appearance of Jacob Marley is significant in terms of the development of supernatural as it is confirmed to the reader that Marley is dead however him reappearing even as a ghost brings a sense of fear and unknown to the