6.1.2
Bob & Tiny Tim Quotes
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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.
Shows 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.
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
2Key Characters & Quotes
2.1Ebenezer Scrooge
2.2Other Characters
2.2.1Bob Cratchit2.2.2Tiny Tim2.2.3Fred2.2.4The Ghosts Pt 12.2.5The Ghosts Pt 22.2.6End of Topic Test - Other Characters2.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bob Marley2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Two Ghosts2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost of Christmas2.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - The Cratchits
2.3Grade 9 - Key Characters
3Key Ideas
4Context
5Authorial Method
6Recap: Main Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Plot Summary
2Key Characters & Quotes
2.1Ebenezer Scrooge
2.2Other Characters
2.2.1Bob Cratchit2.2.2Tiny Tim2.2.3Fred2.2.4The Ghosts Pt 12.2.5The Ghosts Pt 22.2.6End of Topic Test - Other Characters2.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bob Marley2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Two Ghosts2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost of Christmas2.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - The Cratchits
2.3Grade 9 - Key Characters
3Key Ideas
4Context
5Authorial Method
6Recap: Main Quotes
Practice questions on Bob & Tiny Tim Quotes
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1Which quotes are correct?True / false
- 2Key quotes about Bob Cratchit:Fill in the list
- 33 quotes highlighting aspects of Tiny Tim's character:Fill in the list
- 4Which quotes about Tiny Tim are correct?True / false
- 5Which of these is NOT a quote about Tiny Tim?Multiple choice
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