Children of the Crachits

• Tiny Tim represents vulnerable children in Victorian society due to disabilities
• Dickens illustrates that all children, including those with disabilities, have value in the eyes of God
• Tim and his family have kept their faith in God despite difficulties
• Tiny Tim is used as a symbol to encourage reflection on religion and biblical stories where Jesus does not ignore the disabled
• Dickens uses Tiny Tim's condition to force Scrooge to change his selfish ways
• Peter Cratchit symbolises the transition to manhood with his new oversized shirt
• The shirt symbolises Peter's entry into the world of work at a young age
• The second-hand shirt highlights the poverty of the Cratchit family
• Peter's desire to show off his new clothes in the fashionable Parks symbolises the working class's aspirations to better themselves
• Martha Cratchit represents exploited, underpaid female apprentices
• Martha's income supplements Bob's meagre pay
• Dickens emphasizes the working conditions for apprentices through Martha's character
• Martha works long hours, even on Christmas Day, and is exploited by making hats for the rich that she can't afford for herself
• Martha's lack of protection under the 1847 Factory Act highlights the harsh reality for working women and children
• Belinda Cratchit learns gender-assigned roles in the house from her mother
• Belinda is denied a name or identity in the future scene, emphasizing her defined role as daughter
• The Cratchit family has six mouths to feed, highlighting Bob's low income
• "He was very poor indeed."
• "The boy is ignominiously thrust out, and sent back to work at the coal-hearth."
• "A solitary child, neglected by his friends"
• Bob Cratchit earns £15 per year.
• "I wish these walls could speak!"
• Scrooge's salary is not mentioned but it is clear he is wealthy.
• Cratchit's salary is less than half of Scrooge's annual wage.
• "A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!"
• "I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge.
• "Hallo! A great deal said, Bob! I am the same that tapped you on the shoulder only the other day."