JACOB MARLEY
Jacob Marley is the deceased former business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge, having died seven years prior to the events of "A Christmas Carol." Once a kindred spirit to Scrooge, Marley shared in his business dealings and, like Scrooge, was known for his selfishness and lack of compassion during his lifetime. Marley's death and burial are referenced as symbols of Scrooge's former isolation and absence of kindness.

In the story, Jacob Marley appears as a ghost, bound in heavy chains constructed from cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and purses—objects that represent his materialistic and greedy life. He is described as having a chilling, deathly presence, with a transparent form and wearing a pigtail, waistcoat, tights, and boots. Marley's ghost is condemned to wander the earth as punishment for his selfishness and lack of compassion, unable to find peace.

Marley intervenes in Scrooge's life by orchestrating a series of supernatural visitations. He visits Scrooge to warn him about the dire consequences of continuing his selfish and unkind ways, serving as a cautionary figure who embodies the fate that awaits those who live without generosity or empathy. During his haunting visit, Marley foretells the arrival of three spirits—the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come—who will offer Scrooge an opportunity for redemption. Marley's warning is both a plea and a prophecy, urging Scrooge to change his ways before it is too late.

Through his ghostly intervention, Jacob Marley acts as a catalyst for Scrooge's transformation, hoping to spare his former partner from the same eternal suffering he endures. Marley's role in the narrative is pivotal, as he sets in motion the events that lead to Scrooge's eventual redemption and the restoration of his humanity.