Jacob Marley is a good salesman

So was Charles Dickens.

The thought of being forgotten sealed the deal

I agree with Charles Rowley that Jacob Marley simply re-framed generosity for Ebenezer so that it appealed to his self-interest.  And it seems that Dickens’ story has lived for over 150 years, retold in many different variations, with very few people recognizing that.

Here’s another interesting piece on A Christmas Carol from Steven Landsburg.