The Ghost of Christmas Past

The Ghost of Christmas Past is the first of the three spirits that 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 Past is described as thus:
Most versions retain the appearance of a being with light and candle motif, but is usually the only ghost to have the most radically diverse depictions. The 2009 version has been the most direct about their appearance. They appear as a literal floating candle person with the bottom half disappearing into nothingness and their head essentially floating above their body as a lit flame. Their candle wax body produces two arms that resemble long sleeved robes and, just like the original novel, carries an extinguisher that is only slightly as big as them.
The Muppet Christmas Carol version switches the candle motif for a more ethereal ghost-like appearance. They resemble a small child with white wispy robes and a hood and appear to lack any feet whatsoever. Their face is that of an androgynous pale-faced child with long wavy red hair and large blue eyes.
The DuckTales version draws inspiration from Jiminy Cricket's appearance in Mickey's Christmas Carol and is a small green cricket with a blue waistcoat, white undershirt and red tie. He also carries an umbrella that imbues him with the power to time travel.
===Personality===
In most adaptations, the Ghost of Christmas Past is depicted as being very soft-spoken and honest. While not as boastful or frightening as their two ghostly compatriots, the Ghost is not afraid to hit Scrooge with the harsh truth about his past and make him realize his fall from grace. The Ghost appears to have a subdued playful side, most likely representing one's youth, but is full of aged wisdom, representing those in their autumn years. Overall, the Ghost is trying to be helpful, even if it means being severe with the truth.
The DuckTales version additionally is depicted as being self-conscious and clingy to those around him. Feeling left out, he was willing to keep Scrooge McDuck to himself. It was only through the passage of time, that he sees the error of his ways and assumes his role as the Ghost of Christmas Past again.
==Role in the film==
The Ghost of Christmas Past appears modeled like a candle to symbolize the light that people shine on their past, in order to know themselves better. In this version, the ghost has a light Irish accent. He takes Scrooge on a journey throughout his past in order to show Scrooge how he became the miserly moneylender he is. During this journey, Scrooge discovered the following things:
*His father neglected him and his sister as a child.
*His kind sister Fan brought him back home from boarding school one Christmas when he was a child and their father was in a good mood.
*Fan died giving birth to Fred.
*Fezziwig was a kind Christmas loving boss to him.
*Scrooge started a successful business in money-lending and finances.
*He first met Belle during Fezziwig's Christmas party.
*He then broke up with Belle by the time Scrooge started his obsession with finances.
After which, Scrooge wants to leave but the ghost uses then his face to show all the people the old man knew in his kindness. Scared, Scrooge quickly extinguishes the ghost with his own extinguisher. However, Scrooge is then shot up into the sky, toward the moon, and falls about 50,000 feet toward the ground back to his house.
==Variants==
===Original===
*The Ghost of Christmas Past from The Muppet Christmas Carol
*The Ghost of Christmas Past from DuckTales (2017)
===Disney characters portraying Christmas Past===
*Jiminy Cricket (Eddie Carroll) - Portrayed the role in Mickey's Christmas Carol.
*Merlin (Alan Young) - Portrayed the role in An Adaptation of Dickens' Christmas Carol, Performed by The Walt Disney Players
*Cadpig (Kath Soucie) - Portrayed the role in the 101 Dalmatians: The Series episode, "A Christmas Cruella"
*Tigger (Jim Cummings) - Portrayed the role in Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo.
==Gallery==
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A Christmas Carol.jpg|The Ghost of Christmas Past on the poster of A Christmas Carol as a candle.
==External links==
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Category:A Christmas Carol characters
Category:Characters
Category:Disney characters
Category:Males
Category:Dickensian characters
Category:Characters who fly
Category:Holiday Figures
Category:Animated characters
Category:Spirits
Category:Live-action characters
Category:TV Animation characters
Category:Grasshoppers and crickets
Category:English characters
Category:Magic Users
Category:Neutral characters
Category:Time travelers