Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-3-fred [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol.md) › Fred # Fred English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol, topic 2.2.3 ## Fred (Scrooge's Nephew) Fred represents Scrooge’s only living family. He is Scrooge’s nephew, the only child of Fan (his little sister whom he adored). ### Highlights Scrooge's love for Fan ![Highlights Scrooge's love for Fan](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/1401a376-d523-47e0-bfca-8417f3141fac/shutterstock_452334850.jpg) - Fred may show how much Scrooge misses his sister. - It is possible that Scrooge doesn't want a relationship with his nephew because he is scared of losing someone else he loves. ### Foil to Scrooge's character ![Foil to Scrooge's character](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/6c3d5a1d-8b2d-4ae9-8879-32f20adb4f38/shutterstock_233663527.jpg) - Fred is used to show what Scrooge could be like if he made the right decisions – he is a foil to Scrooge’s character. - He is happy with life: Scrooge is miserable. - He is in love with his wife and enjoys being with her: Scrooge lost his fiancée and hates relationships. - He sees the magic in Christmas, especially the goodness it brings to people: Scrooge thinks that Christmas brings out the worst in people. - He is polite and kind: Scrooge is nasty and rude. - He is generous: Scrooge is tight-fisted. ### Significance of laughter ![Significance of laughter](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/67c37c46-3cef-47b7-a5c1-c57ce2991b25/shutterstock_536537695.jpg) - Fred laughs several times throughout the story, highlighting his love of life and the enjoyment he experiences. - Interestingly, Stave 5 (after he has decided to make changes and be a better person) is where Scrooge laughs until he cries. ## Fred: Key Quotes Here are 3 quotes highlighting aspects of Fred's character: ### Happy and kind ![Happy and kind](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/345d5664-2d92-4952-a3ef-5ad85e68a3db/shutterstock_514863601.jpg) - __“This nephew of Scrooge’s, that he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled”__. - Right from the start, Fred is shown to be so happy and kind that it seems to radiate from his skin – his goodness makes his skin and eyes glow. - He directly contrasts Scrooge, who is dull and miserable. Fred loves life; Scrooge seems to hate it. Dickens uses Fred at the beginning to show what Scrooge could be like. ### Constantly laughing ![Constantly laughing](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/234d1e9b-798e-4237-b85d-874a9de1e040/shutterstock_641505199.jpg) - __“Scrooge’s nephew laughed in this way: holding his sides”__. - This adds to the sense that Fred loves life. He laughs throughout the book, never seeming to take things too seriously or be offended at Scrooge’s behaviour. - In his life, he also shows a sense of freedom; Scrooge seems to have locked away any sort of enjoyment in life – he does not laugh until he revisits the good times he had as a youth. ### Example to the upper classes ![Example to the upper classes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/3aa6af10-06cd-4577-ae74-8bd262d62e3a/shutterstock_99416942.jpg) - __“Let him in! It is a mercy he didn’t shake his arm off”__. - Fred shows what upper-class people should be like – whilst Scrooge has always been horribly rude and dismissive of him, he does not take this to heart. - As soon as his uncle makes an effort, Fred forgives him and invites him into his home. ## Test yourself on Fred - How is Fred a foil to Scrooge's character? - Who does Fred highlight Scrooge's love for? - How does Fred represent Scrooge's family? - How does Dickens describe Fred's way of laughing? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ddff7b40-4794-11e8-840f-39fdc9615de8/section/676a0e20-4c92-11e8-b481-f529820d2afa/session) - Previous topic: [2.2.2 Tiny Tim](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-2-tiny-tim.md) - Next topic: [2.2.4 The Ghosts Pt 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-4-the-ghosts-pt-1.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol contents ### 1 Plot Summary - 1.1 Plot Summary - [1.1.1 Outline](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-1-outline.md) - [1.1.2 Introducing Scrooge & Marley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-2-introducing-scrooge-and-marley.md) - [1.1.3 Stave 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-3-stave-1.md) - [1.1.4 Stave 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-4-stave-2.md) - [1.1.5 Stave 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-5-stave-3.md) - [1.1.6 End of Topic Test - Staves 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-6-end-of-topic-test-staves-1-3.md) - [1.1.7 Stave 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-7-stave-4.md) - [1.1.8 Stave 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-8-stave-5.md) - [1.1.9 End of Topic Test - Staves 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-9-end-of-topic-test-staves-4-5.md) - [1.1.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Belle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/1-1-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-belle.md) ### 2 Key Characters & Quotes - 2.1 Ebenezer Scrooge - [2.1.1 Outline & Stave 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-1-outline-and-stave-1.md) - [2.1.2 Stave 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-2-stave-2.md) - [2.1.3 Stave 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-3-stave-3.md) - [2.1.4 Stave 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-4-stave-4.md) - [2.1.5 Stave 5 & Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-5-stave-5-and-key-quotes.md) - [2.1.6 End of Topic Test - Ebeneezer Scrooge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-6-end-of-topic-test-ebeneezer-scrooge.md) - [2.1.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Scrooge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-1-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-scrooge.md) - 2.2 Other Characters - [2.2.1 Bob Cratchit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-1-bob-cratchit.md) - [2.2.2 Tiny Tim](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-2-tiny-tim.md) - [2.2.3 Fred](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-3-fred.md) - [2.2.4 The Ghosts Pt 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-4-the-ghosts-pt-1.md) - [2.2.5 The Ghosts Pt 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-5-the-ghosts-pt-2.md) - [2.2.6 End of Topic Test - Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-6-end-of-topic-test-other-characters.md) - [2.2.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Bob Marley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-bob-marley.md) - [2.2.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Two Ghosts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-two-ghosts.md) - [2.2.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ghost of Christmas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-ghost-of-christmas.md) - [2.2.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - The Cratchits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-2-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-the-cratchits.md) - 2.3 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [2.3.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-3-1-grade-9-key-characters.md) - [2.3.2 Grade 9 - Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/2-3-2-grade-9-extract-analysis.md) ### 3 Key Ideas - 3.1 Key Ideas - [3.1.1 Inequality, Ignorance & Want](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-1-inequality-ignorance-and-want.md) - [3.1.2 Duality, Family & Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-2-duality-family-and-love.md) - [3.1.3 Christianity & Redemption](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-3-christianity-and-redemption.md) - [3.1.4 End of Topic Test - Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-4-end-of-topic-test-key-ideas.md) - [3.1.5 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-5-grade-9-key-themes.md) ### 4 Context - 4.1 Context - [4.1.1 Dickens & Victorian England](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-1-dickens-and-victorian-england.md) - [4.1.2 Poverty & Victorian Christmas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-2-poverty-and-victorian-christmas.md) - [4.1.3 Exam-Style Questions - Poverty](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-3-exam-style-questions-poverty.md) - [4.1.4 Gothic Fiction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-4-gothic-fiction.md) - [4.1.5 Gothic Fiction & Victorian England](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-5-gothic-fiction-and-victorian-england.md) - [4.1.6 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-6-end-of-topic-test-context.md) - [4.1.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Dickens & Socialism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-dickens-and-socialism.md) - [4.1.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Misanthropy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/4-1-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-misanthropy.md) ### 5 Authorial Method - 5.1 Structure & Techniques - [5.1.1 Structure & Time](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-1-structure-and-time.md) - [5.1.2 Time Frame & Pace](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-2-time-frame-and-pace.md) - [5.1.3 Narrative Voice & Tone](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-3-narrative-voice-and-tone.md) - [5.1.4 Settings, Similes & Metaphors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-4-settings-similes-and-metaphors.md) - [5.1.5 End of Topic Test - Authorial Method](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/5-1-5-end-of-topic-test-authorial-method.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Recap: Main Quotes - [6.1.1 Scrooge Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-1-scrooge-quotes.md) - [6.1.2 Bob & Tiny Tim Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-2-bob-and-tiny-tim-quotes.md) - [6.1.3 Fred & Ghosts Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-3-fred-and-ghosts-quotes.md) - [6.1.4 Ignorance & Want Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-4-ignorance-and-want-quotes.md) - [6.1.5 Other Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/6-1-5-other-quotes.md)