Tiny Tim

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Tiny Tim

Although he does not appear in the story very often, Tiny Tim represents the most vulnerable members of society.

Vulnerable

He is pure, innocent, vulnerable and angelic.
Dickens uses him to show that some people are affected by poverty without having made any choices whatsoever.
Dickens also wanted to show that vulnerable members of society need to be helped and cared for.

Contrast to Scrooge

Tiny Tim also presents an interesting contrast to Scrooge – although Tiny Tim is poor and disabled, he is the happiest character in the story. In contrast, Scrooge has wealth and physical health, but is miserable.
His most iconic line is “God bless us, everyone!”
- This line itself show the contrast between him and Scrooge – Scrooge is concerned about himself, whereas Tiny Tim wants everyone to have happy lives.

Symbol of hope

Tiny Tim is a symbol of hope.
The end of the novella is a positive one. Dickens uses Tiny Tim to ultimately show that people, and society, can change for the better.
Scrooge (the upper class) plays a key role in this – if he had remained selfish and cruel, Tiny Tim would have died. However, because he changed and became caring and generous, Tiny Tim lived.

Highlights power of upper classes

Tiny Tim illustrates that Scrooge (and the rich upper classes) are very powerful – they actually have the power to determine life and death.
Dickens uses Tiny Tim to highlight the consequences of using that power both positively and negatively.

Tiny Tim: Key Quotes

Here are 3 quotes highlighting aspects of Tiny Tim's character:

Innocent and angelic

“Tiny Tim upon his shoulder”.
- With Tiny Tim on Cratchit’s shoulder, lifted up so high, he could be said to represent an angel.
- He may also need to be physically lifted up because he is weak and vulnerable. His innocence, vulnerability and angelic nature makes his potential downfall (at the hands of Scrooge) so much more horrific.

Extremely vulnerable

“Bob’s voice was tremulous when he told them this, and trembled more when he said that Tiny Tim was growing strong and hearty”.
- This quote adds heartbreak for the reader, as we see Bob Cratchit attempting to be strong in the presence of his children. However, the verb “trembled” shows that he is lying in an attempt to protect them from hurt – he knows that Tiny Tim is growing weaker, not stronger.
- Tiny Tim (the lower class) becomes more and more vulnerable and needy every day, until Scrooge (the upper class) changes and decides to help.

Direct contrast to Scrooge

“God bless us, everyone!”
- Tiny Tim, in direct contrast to Scrooge, wants to help everyone. As an angelic, holy character, he offers blessings (of love, hope and happiness) to the whole of society. He also shows that people can change and make a difference to others.

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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