Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/a-christmas-carol/3-1-2-duality-family-and-love [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) › Duality, Family & Love # Duality, Family & Love English Lit: AQA GCSE A Christmas Carol, topic 3.1.2 ## Duality Both Fred and Cratchit are used to show what Scrooge’s life could be like if he stopped being so selfish and greedy. ### Scrooge and Fred ![Scrooge and Fred](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/ca0ee36a-4a81-4465-a1cb-27d9e6c884aa/shutterstock_233663521.jpg) - Charles Dickens uses Scrooge and Fred to initially highlight the different sides of humans – and to point out the consequences of each one. - Throughout the novella, Scrooge is shown to be the negative, selfish, anti-social, self-centred side of mankind. - In contrast, Fred (Scrooge’s nephew) is cheerful, sociable, and kind-hearted. - Scrooge appears to be lonely and unhappy, whereas Fred appears to enjoy life. ### Scrooge and Cratchit - happiness ![Scrooge and Cratchit - happiness](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/0f63c9d5-ae4f-4df8-9a8c-e4410f94c838/shutterstock_24948148.jpg) - Dickens also uses Scrooge and Cratchit to highlight different social classes and the impact of wealth on happiness. - Throughout the novella, Cratchit is shown to be happy and full of life and love (as long as he has his family). - In contrast, Scrooge is shown to be miserable and alone, with no love. ### Scrooge and Cratchit - happiness and wealth ![Scrooge and Cratchit - happiness and wealth](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/d3408c8e-48a4-4151-8d67-cae7595c270c/shutterstock_222094417.jpg) - Although Cratchit’s family is poor, he is still happy because he appreciates his family and their love. He uses what little money he has to make their lives as good as he can. - Scrooge, however, has a lot of money but doesn’t want to use it; instead, he hoards his money, refuses to use it to help anyone else, and allows his greed to come between him and the woman he loved (Belle). ## Family and Love In _A Christmas Carol_, those characters with loving families are shown to be happy, while those characters who do not have close families are miserable. ### Importance of Fred ![Importance of Fred](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/f640e7d2-6db2-4451-968a-b276f53ac61e/shutterstock_542092210.jpg) - In the story it is clear that, despite wanting to live a life of solitude, Scrooge is not alone: he has a nephew, Fred. - Throughout Stave 1, Fred shows that he is constantly asking his uncle to have dinner with him and his wife, to spend Christmas with them and to be part of their lives (__“I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be friends?”__), but Scrooge chooses to be alone and refuses. ### Significance of the Cratchits ![Significance of the Cratchits](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/41f85eef-5b05-4f59-ae91-a5d6af956bee/shutterstock_135536876.jpg) - In contrast, the Cratchit family love being together and love each other very much, but through Scrooge’s selfishness, they risk losing someone they love: Tiny Tim. ### Importance of family ![Importance of family](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-05/0487932a-4b5a-48f0-87ac-e9b4c823c994/shutterstock_123737872.jpg) - Characters with loving families are shown to be happy: Fred, the Cratchits, Belle. Characters who do not have close families are miserable: Scrooge and Marley. - Families metaphorically provide warmth – when Fred enters the office, it seems to warm up: __“He had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost, this nephew of Scrooge’s, that he was all in a glow”__. - Scrooge is constantly described as being cold: __“No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him”__. He is cold-hearted until he accepts love. ## Test yourself on Duality, Family & Love - Which characters show what Scrooge’s life could be like if he stopped being so selfish and greedy? - Who are the Cratchits in danger of losing because of Scrooge? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/ddff7b40-4794-11e8-840f-39fdc9615de8/section/5d2db790-4c97-11e8-b481-f529820d2afa/session) - Previous topic: [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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)