Why is Marley still on earth?

In Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Jacob Marley is still on Earth as a restless spirit bound by the chains of his own greed and selfishness in life. His ghostly presence serves as a warning to Ebenezer Scrooge about the consequences of a life lived without compassion and generosity. Marley hopes to guide Scrooge towards redemption, urging him to change his ways before it’s too late. His eternal suffering underscores the novel's themes of repentance and the importance of caring for others.