christmas plans/traditions

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by crabapple

I love the Alastair Sim 1951 "A Christmas Carol," that is a seriously good movie.

"A chance and hope of my procuring, Ebenezer." I always wondered about that. Exactly what did Marley have to do to secure this opportunity for Scrooge to redeem himself? Surely that sort of special counseling services don't happen cheaply, or often. Did Marley have to add extra weights to his chain, or did he have to pay some other sort of penance? Did he have to walk on sharp rocks without shoes?

I always wondered that a bit myself... The whole premise of the story is that it's completely Scrooge-centric and concerned completely about his redemption, yet the first vision of afterlife and eternal damnation that we get is actually Marley. It always concerned me that Scrooge was able to be redeemed (though we were able to SEE what a miserly person he was), while the outcome of Marley's fate was undetermined (off-scene), while he, to us, as an audience, is really given significantly more pathos (I mean, we see him in CHAINS relenting, while Scrooge, initially is REVELING in his cruelty and greed).

I try to console myself by saying that Marley, in warning and guiding Scrooge, is somehow expunging his damed fate.

Originally Posted by Phalanx

So, I just wanna say...traditions and stuff aside...whoever reads this, members past and present, forum browsers, and those that found this by accident...whether it's a person in here that I've chatted with, read the posts of (or likewise), or even upset/had bullshit with in the past:

Christmas...
I hope wherever you are, whatever you're doing, on your own, alone, or with family or friends, that you have a good peaceful day and that everything in your life goes just as planned, even if only for this day, however significant it is for you personally - I throw out the same wish for all of you.
Take care y'selves.

Wow. After having a completely SHITTY day... That was... Really... Refreshing.

I'm not being sarcastic. I mean it.

...



Thanks.



...



You too, Phalanx.



...












And the same to... (most of) the rest of you. :p

[crabapple]

Yes, good wishes, good Christmas wishes all around. Except for...that one. And that one. Annnnnnd that one over there, that's a sorry excuse for a person right there. And those two in the corner, they annoy me. :mad: :rolleyes: ;)

[crabapple]

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

I always wondered that a bit myself... The whole premise of the story is that it's completely Scrooge-centric and concerned completely about his redemption, yet the first vision of afterlife and eternal damnation that we get is actually Marley.

Yeah, you see what I mean? All those poor bastards in the street, those transparent guys who have "lost their power, forever," they had no chance of redemption. Marley specifically states that Scrooge's chance is "of my procuring," meaning, this is an unusual situation. It's implied that Marley had to do something--pull some strings--to make this happen. Marley is a man of business, of course. Did he cut a deal with someone? The head honcho, maybe?

Is Marley's penance that he must, perhaps, roam the world for a while, helping other misguided souls become better people while they are still alive?

Perhaps the creepiest implication is that the living are the only ones who are capable of determining the quality of their afterlife--that once you check out, you are forever sleeping in the bed you made.

[Marley's Ghost]

Originally Posted by crabapple

Yeah, you see what I mean? All those poor bastards in the street, those transparent guys who have "lost their power, forever," they had no chance of redemption. Marley specifically states that Scrooge's chance is "of my procuring," meaning, this is an unusual situation. It's implied that Marley had to do something--pull some strings--to make this happen. Marley is a man of business, of course. Did he cut a deal with someone? The head honcho, maybe?

Is Marley's penance that he must, perhaps, roam the world for a while, helping other misguided souls become better people while they are still alive?

Perhaps the creepiest implication is that the living are the only ones who are capable of determining the quality of their afterlife--that once you check out, you are forever sleeping in the bed you made.

NEVER MIND MY FATE
TEND TO YOUR OWN AFFAIRS
AT LEAST I GET OUT ONCE A YEAR
FOR SOME EGGNOG AND A COUPLE OF BEERS

[crabapple]

Grrrrrrrrrrrruuuufff! Marley's Ghost speaks! And he's an ornery cuss, at times.

Here, Marley, have a nice spiked eggnog grog, it'll warm those chains up for you! heh heh

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by crabapple

Yeah, you see what I mean? All those poor bastards in the street, those transparent guys who have "lost their power, forever," they had no chance of redemption. Marley specifically states that Scrooge's chance is "of my procuring," meaning, this is an unusual situation. It's implied that Marley had to do something--pull some strings--to make this happen. Marley is a man of business, of course. Did he cut a deal with someone? The head honcho, maybe?

Is Marley's penance that he must, perhaps, roam the world for a while, helping other misguided souls become better people while they are still alive?

Perhaps the creepiest implication is that the living are the only ones who are capable of determining the quality of their afterlife--that once you check out, you are forever sleeping in the bed you made.

Yeah, I'm glad that I'm not the only one troubled by this turn of plot... Why is it that Scrooge gets a chance for redemption, but no one else does? Does that mean that no one cares as much about the living filling out their damned destiny than Marley does for Scrooge?

Well, the implication that the living can determine the quality of their afterlife is fairly Christian, but it seems that the Dead can influence the living to influence their Life? And are the already Damned just screwed?

I have always wondered what Marley did to finagle his way there, too... and why that doesn't happen more often. What makes Scrooge's life more important than those already damned? Because he's rich and have more influence to help people? I wonder...




I still have incredibly pathos for Marley. No WONDER he's so cranky. :p

[crabapple]

I think it comes down to the idea that Marley has a personal interest. He feels for Scrooge because he and Scrooge are kindred spirits, and former friends...or associates. And being so close to Scrooge, in that sense, he knows exactly what Scrooge's problem is and how it might be fixed.

He surely wishes to see Scrooge redeemed, in part, because he dreams of himself redeemed but that's not possible any more. It will warm Marley's heart to see it happen.

So I believe Marley undertook this as a personal project, and made a deal, offered whatever was necessary to secure this chance for Scrooge.

As frightening as Marley's apparition is, he's really, I think, a nice guy to go to all this trouble for his friend.

[Marley's Ghost]

If The Truth Be Told
Scrooge And I Were Lovers
He Wasn't So Stingy
Beneath The Covers

In Life I Wore Chains
When Tied To The Bed
A Bit On The Kinky Side
My Garmets He'd Shread

He Would Smear Figgy Pudding
All Over My Body
Dessert Was Delightful
And Never Too Shoddy

Then We Would Cuddle By The Fire
And Share Some Apple Wine
Yes My Life With Ebenezer
Was Most Very Divine

Now In Death I Visit
Every Christmas Eve
To Make Him Change His Ways
The Spirit Of Christmas He'll Believe

[X¤MurderDoll¤X]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

If The Truth Be Told
Scrooge And I Were Lovers
He Wasn't So Stingy
Beneath The Covers

LooL <3 marley

[crabapple]

Marley's Ghost just got even scarier than he was before!

Okay, Marley, you're the King of Fright now. Are you satisfied, you spectral bastard?