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

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

1.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Belle

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

2.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - 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

2.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bob Marley

2.2.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Two Ghosts

2.2.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost of Christmas

2.2.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - The Cratchits

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

4.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Dickens & Socialism

4.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Misanthropy

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

6Recap: Main Quotes

6.1Recap: Main Quotes

6.1.1Scrooge Quotes

6.1.2Bob & Tiny Tim Quotes

6.1.3Fred & Ghosts Quotes

6.1.4Ignorance & Want Quotes

6.1.5Other Quotes

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