Mrs Cratchit

• Mrs Cratchit, Bob Cratchit's wife, is presented as a model wife and mother which continues with the notion that the Cratchit family are an idealised representation of the poor. When the reader is first introduced to her character, Dickens writes that she is "dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown" highlighting her poverty as she is unable to afford new clothes, this suggestion is reinforced by the adverb "poorly". Despite this, she is "brave in ribbons, which are cheap and make a goodly show for sixpence", suggesting that she is optimistic regardless of her financial state. This demonstrates her Christmas spirit and ultimately presents her character as strong.
• Poverty

  Following Christmas dinner, Mrs Cratchit notes that there is "one small atom of bone" remaining of the goose which makes her feel "great delight" as the family hadn't eaten all of the food but "every one had had enough". Her excitement at this occurrence implies to the reader that this was not a frequent event in the Cratchit household, showing the reader that they often struggle with feeding every member of the family properly. Despite this, Mrs Cratchit remains optimistic and good-natured, "flushed but smiling proudly" as she brought out the pudding.
• Poverty

  This attitude dispels stereotypes surrounding the lower-class, as Dickens presents those in poverty as grateful and content regardless of the amount of food they have. Furthermore, he uses this opportunity to somewhat criticise members of the upper class, as he highlights that the poor in society struggle with the most basic necessities of life. Here, Dickens is trying to awaken his readership to the harsh realities of poverty in Victorian society.
• "'It should be Christmas Day, I am sure' said she, 'on which one drinks the health of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr Scrooge."


  Dickens mirrors the asyndetic listing (a list broken up by commas rather than conjunctions like 'and') he uses in the opening stave when he calls Scrooge a "...scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner", allowing Mrs Cratchit to adopt the same powerful tone of disapproval. This presents her character as strong and opinionated while also highlighting just how cruel Scrooge acted towards Bob, as his wife feels as though she must defend her husband against him.
• "I'll drink to his health for your sake and the Day's"


  • Dickens foregrounds Mrs Cratchit's Christmas spirit as well as her love for Bob, encapsulating her loving personality through this assertion. This may act as a message to the reader as rather than create conflict on Christmas, Mrs Cratchit compromises and agrees to drink to Scrooge's health. This conveys the idea that Christmas should be a time of love and compassion rather than conflict. It is also interesting to note that Dickens sets up subtle contrasts between the Cratchits and Scrooge as, while in Stave One Scrooge was unwilling to even hear out the charity collectors, Mrs Cratchit agrees to drink to his health for the sake of love.
• "I wouldn't show weak eyes to your father when he comes home, for the world." She said in a "steady, cheerful voice, that only faltered once"


  • This epitomises the strength in Mrs Cratchit's character as, despite her sadness, she chooses to keep her composure in front of Bob. By outlining that her voice "faltered", Dickens highlights the true sadness of the situation following Tiny Tim's death. This causes the reader to sympathise with her while also admiring her strength. Ultimately, this adds to the overarching narrative of the Cratchit family being an idealised representation of the poor, as Mrs. Cratchit contributes to the idea that a family should consist of strength, compassion and love.