The Cratchit Family

• How many children do Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit have?

  Six - Martha, Peter, Belinda, two smaller Cratchits, and Tiny Tim
• What is the main contrast between Scrooge and the Cratchit family?

  Scrooge is rich but lonely, whereas the Cratchits are poor but rich in love, showing that companionship brings more happiness than money
• How does Dickens use the Cratchits to highlight the humanity of the poor?

  He presents them as a loving family with joys, sorrows, and fears, reminding readers that the poor are individuals, not just a social problem
• What does Tiny Tim symbolise?

  He represents the vulnerability of the poor and the possibility of hope and redemption
• Where does Bob Cratchit work?

  He works as Scrooge's clerk in a "dismal little cell" despite the bitter cold
• How does Bob Cratchit respond to Fred's greetings?

  He responds "cordially", showing courtesy and kindness
• How does Bob address Scrooge?

  He calls him "sir", showing deference and respect
• What is Bob's attitude when Scrooge complains about Christmas Day off?

  He remains patient and civil, despite Scrooge's grumpy protests
• How does Bob's character contrast with Scrooge's?

  Bob is tolerant and kind, while Scrooge is miserly and hostile
• How does Bob Cratchit's attitude toward Christmas differ from Scrooge's?

  Bob is eager and joyful about Christmas, applauding Fred's speech, while Scrooge dismisses it with "Humbug!"
• How does Bob Cratchit show his playful nature as a father?

  He carries Tiny Tim home from church on his shoulders and slides down an icy street twenty times on Christmas Eve, despite having no coat
• How does Bob react when he believes Martha won't be home for Christmas?

  He is upset, but when she appears, he hugs her "to his heart's content," showing how important family is to him
• How does Bob show tenderness toward Tiny Tim?

  Tiny Tim sits "very close to his father's side" while Bob holds his hand, showing his care and affection
• How does Bob try to protect his family from his grief over Tiny Tim's death?

  He tries to be cheerful, saying "'I am very happy', said little Bob," to spare them more pain
• What quote shows Bob Cratchit's forgiving nature?

  "Mr Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!"
• What quote shows Bob Cratchit's cheerful nature?

  "Bob was very cheerful with them"
• What quote shows Bob Cratchit's loving nature?"

  "Bob... hugged his daughter to his heart's content"
• How does the theme of family relate to Bob Cratchit?

  He is very close to his children, especially Tiny Tim, which makes his grief at losing him even more heartbreaking for the reader
• Mrs Cratchit is good-natured and busy

  1. Mrs Cratchit works hard to make the Cratchit family happy. The Christmas goose has to be "eked out" to feed the whole family, but the Cratchits greet the food with "universal admiration"

  2. Although she thinks Scrooge is an "odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man", she still drinks to his health, because Bob wants her to and she loves him

  3. When Tim dies she's protective of her family's feelings. She speaks in a "steady, cheerful voice" and hides her "weak eyes" from Bob - she doesn't want to add to his worries

  Writer's Techniques - The Cratchits are presented as a perfect, good family. Dickens idealises the Cratchits so that his middle and upper class readers would be more likely to sympathise with them than if they were realistic and flawed
• Tiny Tim is frail - but he doesn't complain

  1. Tiny Tim is fragile and very ill. His father carries him on his shoulders and is especially close to him, whilst Tim's siblings make sure he joins in all the fun

  2. Dickens presents Tiny Tim as a good character by showing us his religious nature. Tim hopes people see him in church, because he wants to remind people about "who made lame beggars walk" (Jesus). He also echoes his father's toast - "God bless us every one!"

  3. Dickens also uses Tim to show how poverty can lead to suffering and death. If Scrooge hadn't helped the Cratchits, Tiny Tim would've died
• Who is Peter in relation to Bob Cratchit?

  Peter is Bob's son and heir
• What does Peter yearn to show in the fashionable Parks?

  He yearns to show his linen
• What is Bob's hope for Peter's future?

  Bob hopes Peter will work as a man of business
• What is Martha's occupation?

  Martha is a milliner's apprentice
• What does Dickens emphasize about the Cratchit children?

  They are not lazy or unwilling to work
• What belief does Dickens challenge through the Cratchit children's work ethic?

  He challenges the belief that poverty is linked to laziness
• How do the Cratchit children contribute to Christmas dinner?

  • They all help out together
  • Even the youngest children participate
  • They work as a family unit
• What writing technique does Dickens use to describe the Cratchits' preparations for dinner?

  He uses a long sentence with short clauses
• What does Mrs. Cratchit make for dinner?

  She makes the gravy
• How do the young Cratchits express their excitement during dinner preparations?

  They cram spoons into their mouths
• What effect does the excitement of the young Cratchits have on the household?

  It adds positivity to the Cratchit household