Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain

The Haunted Man is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in 1848. It is the fifth and last of Dickens' Christmas novellas. The tale centers on a Professor named Redlaw and those close to him.In this story, Dickens narrates the hair-raising experiences of the professor. As the protagonist dwells on his past sorrows and mistakes, a phantom visits him. It suggests him a bizarre escape from painful recollections of yesteryear by offering to eradicate his memory. On seeing the professor turn into a man devoid of emotions, the reader realizes how empty one becomes without a past. The Haunted Man epitomizes the genius of Charles Dickens. Featuring the breathless suspense, colorful characters, and witty humor that has made Dickens such a beloved author, the story also tackles some of the deepest philosophical and theological questions ever raised in his writings. His answer to ';the problem of evil' is of both literary and religious interest.