Fred

• Example thesis

  Within his festive, allegorical novella, Dickens crafts Scrooge’s only nephew Fred to function as a model for embracing Christmas. Most importantly, he demonstrates the virtues associated with this time of year, namely goodwill, benevolence, family and community.
• Key context on Fred

  • Allegorically, Dickens utilises Fred as a model for embracing Christmas and its associated virtues e.g. goodwill, family, love, community
  • Fred’s concern is revealed by his persistence and pity – his manner is what Dickens sought to inspire in others.
  • Both Bob Cratchit and Fred are important characters in bringing about the transformation of Scrooge’s character.
  • Fred is a foil to Scrooge in the opening of the novella, so helps to heighten Scrooge’s absolute misery nature and need for change.