Bob

• Bob is a FOIL to scrooge
• "His clerk"

  • HYPOCORISM> pet name.
  • "his clerk"> sounds like scrooge's possession.
  • "cell"> sounds like Bob is imprisoned by scrooge (forced to please him to keep his job.
  • "tank" (where Bob is kept)> further implies that bob is scrooges property as fish belong in tanks - makes Bob sound like a loyal dog.

  -EFFECT> this generates empathy from the reader for Bob.
• BOB

  NOMENCLATURE (A02)>

  • "Bob" is a slang name for a 'shilling' and bob earns 15 shillings a week. (A03- The novella was sold for 12 shillings, this means bob could afford it if food and shelter wasn't as important)
  • This is intended to make the rich feel guilty after they bought this book.
  • "bob"- small name, character and wage.
• CRATCHIT

  NOMENCLATURE (A02)

  1. "Crotchet"- common, single beat music note. KEY. links to "Carol" small BUT vital
  2. "Crotchet" (type of knitting) - a small hook that holds it all together. 'hook' - pulls scrooge towards his redemption.
  3. "Crotchet" (highly unique idea). e.g.> Bob's ideas of xmas are unique to scrooge.
  4. "Cratch" - Verb> it means to eat like a horse which reflects his family. (poor and hungry as a family).

  (4) links to Stave3 where bob is compared to a "blood horse"
• "clerk"

  • Bob's name is never used in Stave1 - only valued by his work
  • dehumanising
• "if quite convenient sir."


  (when bob asks for a day off)

  "you'll want all day tomorrow I suppose" - scrooge > greedy /hypocrite.

  -LINKS TO "not convenient and not fair"

  "sir"> very polite and kind
• "the clerks fire was very much smaller" & "smaller that it looked like 1 coal"


  "smaller"> repetition shows how greedy scrooge is and how hard he values money to the point that bob's fire is barely enough to keep him warm

  EFFECT> As a result, makes the reader feel empathy.

  "white comforter"- clerk is a good man.

  • {white} SYMBOL OF PURITY AND INNOCENCE
  • "Candle" Motif of light - tries to 'warm' himself
• NO VOICE:


  Bob barely says anything himself - the narrator 'paraphrases' his words.

  • submissive/ lack of value 4 the poor
• Dickens uses the phrase "a merry Christmas to everybody!" to show that Bob is optimistic and hopeful for the future. Despite living in poverty, he remains positive and spreads joy wherever he goes. This is in stark contrast to Scrooge, who is bitter and resentful towards others. It also highlights the importance of kindness and generosity during the festive season.
• "involuntarily applauded"


  meaning he wasn't thinking when he did -clear that Bob prefers 'Fred' more than scrooge.

  - "He poked the fire & extinguished the last frail spark forever"> Bob is made to please scrooge.

  poor are indebted to be exploited by the rich.
• "Camden town"


  (A03 CONTEXT)> North of London and dickens grew up there.

  • "RUNS" scrooge never does this and bob is most grateful of his actions

  #blesshissoul. #bobisthebest!