Bob Cratchit Character Analysis

Question 1

Personality of Bob Cratchit

Answer 1

Despite being poor Bob cratchit maintains a positve attitude and treats everyone with kindness

Question 2

How is Bob Cratchit used to contrast to Scrooge?

Answer 2

Bob Cratchit is juxtaposed with Scrooge; he is the epitome of the struggling, hard-working poor of Victorian London. Dickens introduces both men in Stave One - a structurally significant decision, which heightens our sensitivity to the poverty divide, as well as differing attitudes and values among Victorians.

Question 3

How is Bob Cratchit used to portray the problems in Victorian society?

Answer 3

Dickens uses Cratchit to illustrate the systematic problems in society. He cannot provide adequate sustenance for his family, despite working long hours. Dickens challenges the institutional acceptance of the poverty of the era.

Question 4

How does Dickens use Bob Cratchit to present a christian message/value?

Answer 4

Cratchit raises a toast to Scrooge on Christmas day. Here, Dickens evokes the biblical message of ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you…and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.’ (Matthew, 5:44)

Question 5

Quotations that present Scrooge’s cruelty to Bob Cratchit

Answer 5

Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk’s was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. (S1)
The clerk put on his white comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle. (S1)
‘Let me hear another sound from you…and you’ll keep your Christmas by losing your situation!’ (Scrooge, S1)

Question 6

Quotations that present Bob Cratchit’s poverty

Answer 6

His threadbare clothes darned up and brushed, to look seasonal. (S2)
Bob had but fifteen ‘bob’ a week himself. (S3)

Question 7

Quotations that show Bob Cratchit’s love for family (in partcular in relation to Tiny Tim)

Answer 7

He had been Tim’s blood horse all the way from church. (S2)
‘…my little, little child!’ cried Bob. ‘My little child!’ [on Tiny Tim’s ‘death’]. (S4)
He broke down all at once [on Tiny Tim’s ‘death’]. (S4)
‘We shall none of us forget poor Tiny Tim.’ (S4)
‘We shall not quarrel easily amongst ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing it.’ (S4)

Question 8

Quotation to show Bob Cratchit’s Positivity

Answer 8

‘I am very happy,’ said Bob, ‘I am very happy!’ (S4)
‘I’ll give you Mr Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!’ (S3)