Fred

• Fred is a complete contrast to Scrooge

  1. Fred arrives in Scrooge's offices "all in a glow" and "his eyes sparkled" - this emphasises the warmth and friendliness of his character. He's the opposite of Scrooge, who's associated with the cold

  2. Fred disagrees with Scrooge's miserly values. He thinks that Scrooge's wealth is useless because "he don't do any good with it" - suggesting that, unlike Scrooge, he values happiness more than money

  3. He's empathetic - he's "heartily sorry" for the Cratchit family after Tim dies, even though he barely knows them. This contrasts with Scrooge, who begins the novel as a self-centred person who doesn't care about others

  4. Dickens uses Fred as a foil to Scrooge's character. The differences between them emphasise Scrooge's negative qualities
• Fred is a cheerful man

  1. Fred's personality is defined by his distinctive, pleasant laugh. The narrator says he'd like to meet "a man more blest in a laugh than Scrooge's nephew". Fred's laugh illustrates his cheerfulness and optimism

  2. He's even-tempered and refuses to argue with Scrooge. He tells Scrooge "I'll keep my Christmas humour to the last", and later says that he "couldn't be angry" with Scrooge if he tried

  3. Fred shows insight when he says that Scrooge's "offences carry their own punishment" - he understands that by refusing to embrace his family, Scrooge is only hurting himself

  4. He's determined to include Scrooge in the celebrations: "I mean to give him the same chance, every year, whether he likes it or not". He believes it's important to be kind at Christmas, especially to family
• Fred shows true Christmas spirit

  1. Dickens presents Fred as someone who shows lots of the values associated with Christmas and the Christmas spirit

  2. Fred shows generosity to Scrooge in inviting him to his party, and forgiveness when he welcomes Scrooge into his home, despite Scrooge's behaviour - "It is a mercy he didn't shake his arm off".

  3. Fred also knows how to have fun - his Christmas party is an enjoyable occasion, which is filled with games and laughter
• Fred is...

  jovial: "Scrooge's nephew revelled in another laugh"

  enthusiastic: "A merry Christmas uncle! God save you!"

  caring: "Bob told them of the extraordinary kindness of Mr Scrooge's nephew"