The first line in Charles Dickens’ classic novella, ‘A Christmas Carol’, is: ‘Marley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.’
This opening line sets the tone for the entire story. It establishes the fact that Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge’s former business partner, is indeed dead. This is crucial for the narrative, as Marley’s ghost plays a pivotal role in leading Scrooge to reflect on his life and the potential for redemption. The straightforward declaration captures the reader’s attention while hinting at the supernatural elements that follow. Dickens’s choice of words emphasizes the importance of Marley’s death in the plot, as it is the catalyst for Scrooge’s transformative journey.