BOB CRATCHIT
Bob is the hardworking, loyal employee of Scrooge. He is his clerk, forced to work in his cold office described as a "cell". Terrified of Scrooge, Bob has little option but put up with the terrible conditions of his employment.
He lives with his wife and six children. We see his older children already in work, trying to help out the family who live in desperate poverty. Bob's wages are not enough for the family to survive on and as a result we see the gradual decline in his son, Tiny Tim. Despite this, the Bob Cratchit shows nothing other than gentleness and kindness.
PIVOTAL MOMENTS
-
His introduction in his "dismal little cell" in Scrooge's office where he is denied even a single extra lump of coal to warm himself
-
The Cratchit Christmas dinner which shows us their love and positivity
-
The death of Tiny Tim and his families reaction
PURPOSE
Bob Cratchit is the symbol of the desperate conditions of working class London. He shows us that the poor were not idle, but hardworking people living in a world where there was no escape from poverty.
His family show us the resilience of human spirit even in the toughest conditions. Despite the declining health of their son, the Cratchits remain determined to make the most of what they have.
Bob isn't named in the first stave and is only known as the clerk. This shows us the dehumanisation of the working class. To some, they were not seen as fellow citizens, but simply employees, idlers, or criminals.
STRETCH VOCAB
Compassionate
Timid
Stoical
Godly
Faithful
Benign
Paternal
Tender
Key Quotation Analysis
