Cratchit Family Flashcards
(11 cards)
Overview
Dickens uses the characters of the Cratchit Family as a vehicle to highlight the plight of the lower class in Victorian England and their ability to endure hardship through close familial connections. Dickens wrote this didactic novella having read a report into the terrible working conditions of the 19th century lower class so was acutely aware of the divide in treatment between the rich and the poor.
quote 1
‘My clerk, with fifteen shillings a week, and a wife and family, talking about a merry Christmas.’
· Bob’s request for a day off for Christmas is significant - his financial situation would dictate that he needs all the money he can get. Despite this, he still requests this day which demonstrates how much he values spending time with his family.
· He is willing to place himself in an even more precarious financial situation if it means that he is able to be surrounded by those he loves.
quote 2
‘The clerk observed that it was only once a year.’
· Bob attempts to persuade Scrooge into granting his request by bringing attention to the fact that this is only one day of the year.
· Christmas is a time which is spent with family and so Bob cannot fathom the prospect of not being able to do this on one of the year’s most important days.
quote 3
The clerk promised that he would; and Scrooge walked out with a growl.’
· Bob is forced to negotiate with Scrooge by agreeing to come into work earlier the next day. Bob will sacrifice his own time if it means that he is able to spend Christmas day with his family which demonstrates his prioritisation of his loved ones.
· Scrooge’s reaction is less than pleasant however Bob will endure such negative reactions as he values his family so highly.
quote 4
‘…dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons.’
· Reference to Mrs Cratchit’s resilient yet resourceful nature – she makes a conscious effort to dress well for the special occasion of Christmas however she remains limited in her resources.
· Use of the phrase ‘twice turned gown’ – indicative of Mrs Cratchit’s need to re-use resources owing to the family’s lack of money.
· Use of the phrase ‘but brave in ribbons’ demonstrates Mrs Cratchit’s commitment to the occasion as she will not allow her financial situation to spoil the time she has with her family.
quote 5
‘Why bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!” said Mrs Cratchit, kissing her a dozen times’.
· Use of ‘bless your heart’ and the term ‘dear’ – repeated use of terms of endearment that demonstrates a clear love for her child. Indication that although the family may be poor in terms of finances, they are rich in compassion and love for one another.
· Use of ‘dozen’ in ‘kissing her a dozen times’ highlights the extent of love that Mrs Cratchit has for her family, reinforcing how tightly knit the Cratchits are.
quote 6
‘They were very quiet again. At last she said, and in a steady, cheerful voice, that only faltered once.’
· Mrs Cratchit tries her best to present herself in an optimistic manner as a means to protect her remaining children from the grief of Tiny Tim’s death.
· Use of the phrase ‘only faltered once’ – demonstrates that Mrs Cratchit is unable to suppress her feelings of loss as she is greatly affected by her son’s demise.
quote 7
‘They entered poor Bob Cratchit’s house… and found the mother and the children seated round the fire.’
· Use of the adjective ‘poor’ reminds us of the Cratchit family’s financial situation.
· Continued mention of ‘fire’ – emblematic of the warmth shared between family members in contrast to Scrooge.
quote 8
‘My little, little child!” cried Bob. “My little child!” He broke down all at once. He couldn’t help it.’
· Repeated use of ‘little child’ brings attention to Tiny Tim’s vulnerability – provokes a feeling of sympathy in the reader given that someone so young and defenceless could die so prematurely.
· Repeated use of exclamations marks indicates clear distress.
· Use of the phrase ‘broke down all at once’ – Bob is no longer able to suppress his emotions and is overwhelmed by sadness at the loss of his son.
quote 9
‘And to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father.’ (p.116)
· Tiny Tim is emblematic of the most vulnerable members of Victorian society. The fact he lives provides a sense of optimism by the close of the novella as Dickens suggests that society can improve if only we recognise the importance of supporting one another.
· Reference to a ‘second father’ – indicative of a supplementary paternal figure and may suggest that the poor are in more need of help than other members of society.
quote 10
Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!’ (p.116)
· Novella closes with repeated words from Tiny Tim – suggests his importance to the novella as a whole.
· Tiny Tim’s capacity to treat everyone fairly and with respect, despite his circumstances, demonstrates that all members of society have the ability to act in the same way.
