Stage Three of "A Christmas Carol" is a pivotal point in the story where Ebenezer Scrooge encounters the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, also known as the Ghost of Christmas Future. This spectral figure appears as a hooded, silent phantom, shrouded in darkness, and leads Scrooge through a series of glimpses into the future.

As Scrooge follows the Ghost, they arrive in a sombre and desolate part of town, where people are talking about a recent death. Scrooge overhears businessmen discussing the funeral arrangements of an unknown man. It becomes apparent that passing has left very little impact on those around him, and the general sentiment is one of relief rather than mourning.

Next, the Ghost guides Scrooge to a neglected, dimly lit pawnshop, owned by an eerie and grotesque character named Old Joe. A group of individuals, including a charwoman, a laundress, and a undertaker's assistant, have gathered to sell off stolen goods they acquired from the deceased. Scrooge watches in disbelief personal belongings, including bed curtains, blankets, and even his clothing, are being traded and mocked without any regard for his memory or possessions.

Scrooge and the Ghost then visit a dilapidated and miserable part of town, where a young couple, seemingly unaffected by the death, are engaged in a conversation about the deceased person's passing. The woman expresses relief and happiness that the individual, who had caused so much misery and suffering, is no longer alive. Scrooge is struck by the callousness and indifference exhibited towards the deceased, only to later realize that the dead person they speak of is none other than himself.

The scene shifts to a graveyard, where Scrooge and the Ghost stand in front of a neglected, untended grave. The Ghost points towards the tombstone, and Scrooge, trembling with fear and desperation, discovers that it bears his own name. Faced with the stark reality of his impending death and the apathy that accompanies it, Scrooge is overwhelmed with remorse and regret.

This stage of the story presents Scrooge with a terrifying vision of his own future. The absence of grief and mourning for his passing reveals the shallowness of his relationships and the negative impact he has had on those around him. The pawnshop scene demonstrates the insignificance of material possessions and highlights Scrooge's preoccupation with wealth, which ultimately proves meaningless in the face of death. The conversation between the young couple serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of a life devoid of compassion and kindness.

Scrooge's encounter with his own gravestone encapsulates the culmination of his journey, forcing him to confront his mortality and the legacy he is leaving behind. It is a catalyst for profound transformation, as he recognizes the need for redemption and a change in his ways.

Overall, Stage Three of "A Christmas Carol" paints a bleak and haunting picture of Scrooge's future, exposing the consequences of his miserly and self-centered existence. It serves as a powerful wake-up call for Scrooge, prompting him to reflect on his actions and make amends before it is too late.

A Christmas Carol

Stave 4