Bob Cratchit

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Bob Cratchit

Bob Cratchit is an employee of Scrooge and is much less privileged than his boss.

Dispels stereotypes about the poor

With Cratchit, Dickens aimed to put a kind, trusting face to the poor – Cratchit dispels a lot of nasty stereotypical views Victorians had about the poor being nasty and lazy.
Cratchit works hard, is kind and generous, and is a loving father to hardworking, polite children. He is treated horribly by Scrooge but does not complain: in fact, he praises the impact that Scrooge has had on his family (i.e. paying Cratchit for work so that they can afford their nice Christmas).
- ‘“I’ll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!”’

Highlights Scrooge's cruelty

Bob Cratchit is a key part of this story, as he helps to illustrate how unfair Scrooge is towards the lower classes.
- Even though Cratchit works hard and does not complain, Scrooge is awful to him. He is reluctant to give him Christmas Day off, refuses to let him heat the office in the depths of winter, and threatens to fire him for clapping at an opinion he dislikes.
- He does not confront Scrooge’s unfair treatment – when cold, he tries __“to warm himself at the candle”.
- Throughout all of the abuse, Cratchit remains a positive, kind, calm character. He shows how civilised lower-class people could be.

Gains readers' sympathy

Cratchit is a sensitive man who would gain sympathy from a reader, especially when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows that his son has died: ‘“My little, little child!” cried Bob.’
More than anything, Cratchit is a loving husband and father. The fact that he openly cries when his son has died would make readers like him more – all he wants in life is love and happiness for his family but, if Scrooge does not change, even Cratchit will not be able to do anything to protect his small son.

Represents lower class vulnerability

Bob Cratchit also represents the vulnerability of the lower classes. He is completely dependent on the kindness of the upper-classes.
- He works in a “dismal little cell”.
- He only has a job because Scrooge allows it.
- If Scrooge chooses to fire him or take money from his wages, he cannot do anything about it.
- If Scrooge chooses to help him, he could change his whole life for the better.

Represents Scrooge's changed character

Cratchit is also used to illustrate how much Scrooge has changed by the end: “I’ll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family”.
Dickens uses Cratchit to show how much difference people can make if they take an interest in one another. Because Scrooge decides to help Cratchit, Tiny Tim does not die young and Scrooge himself has a better, more fulfilled life.

Bob Cratchit: Key Quotes

Here are 3 quotes highlighting aspects of Bob Cratchit's character:

Trapped

“Dismal little cell”.
- The adjective “dismal” and the noun “cell” show that Bob Cratchit is trapped in a horrible job as Scrooge treats him horrifically.
- He cannot escape his metaphorical cell because poor people in Victorian England had very few options (and very few opportunities to get good jobs), so he has to put up with being treated badly so he can support his family, whom he loves. However, he does not complain about his situation.

Humble

“I’ll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!”
- Bob Cratchit is shown as the humble, happy figure who is grateful to a horrible boss because he appreciates how fortunate he is to have a job in the first place.
- He does not complain about Scrooge but, instead, toasts him to thank him for allowing his family to enjoy Christmas because he gave Cratchit a job in the first place.

Show's Scrooge's changing nature

“I’ll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family” (Scrooge).
- By directing Scrooge’s change of heart at Cratchit, Dickens was able to show how much of a difference Scrooge could easily make to a poor family.
- Cratchit has never asked for these things, but Scrooge is able to highlight his sudden generosity and caring nature by offering them to a poor man whose sole desire is to make his family happy.

1Plot Summary

1.1Plot Summary

1.1.1Outline

1.1.2Introducing Scrooge & Marley

1.1.3Stave 1

1.1.4Stave 2

1.1.5Stave 3

1.1.6End of Topic Test - Staves 1-3

1.1.7Stave 4

1.1.8Stave 5

1.1.9End of Topic Test - Staves 4-5

2Key Characters & Quotes

2.1Ebenezer Scrooge

2.1.1Outline & Stave 1

2.1.2Stave 2

2.1.3Stave 3

2.1.4Stave 4

2.1.5Stave 5 & Key Quotes

2.1.6End of Topic Test - Ebeneezer Scrooge

2.2Other Characters

2.2.1Bob Cratchit

2.2.2Tiny Tim

2.2.3Fred

2.2.4The Ghosts Pt 1

2.2.5The Ghosts Pt 2

2.2.6End of Topic Test - Other Characters

2.3Grade 9 - Key Characters

2.3.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

2.3.2Grade 9 - Extract Analysis

3Key Ideas

3.1Key Ideas

3.1.1Inequality, Ignorance & Want

3.1.2Duality, Family & Love

3.1.3Christianity & Redemption

3.1.4End of Topic Test - Key Ideas

3.1.5Grade 9 - Key Themes

4Context

4.1Context

4.1.1Dickens & Victorian England

4.1.2Poverty & Victorian Christmas

4.1.3Exam-Style Questions - Poverty

4.1.4Gothic Fiction

4.1.5Gothic Fiction & Victorian England

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Context

5Authorial Method

5.1Structure & Techniques

5.1.1Structure & Time

5.1.2Time Frame & Pace

5.1.3Narrative Voice & Tone

5.1.4Settings, Similes & Metaphors

5.1.5End of Topic Test - Authorial Method

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