Bob Cratchit quotes

• “Oh a wonderful pudding!”

• “Bob said he didn’t believe there ever was such a goose cooked”

Bob Cratchit generously compliments his family, being very optimistic, supporting them and being grateful for their support

“My little, little child!”

The repetition of “little” adds to the sad effect of Bob’s cry. We feel sympathy for him at this point

• “It’s only once a year, sir” pleaded Bob

• “I’m very sorry, sir” said Bob “I am behind my time”

Bob Cratchit is overly apologetic and obedient to Scrooge and pleads for forgiveness, suggesting he fears Scrooge’s wrath, further illustrating the harm Scrooge’s past miserly attitudes did to society

• “Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk’s fire was so much smaller that it looked like one coal”

• “(He) tried to warm himself at the candle”

• Scrooge relegates his clerk Bob Cratchit to a minimal fire, expecting Cratchit to work while cold. Bob knows that if he replenishes his fire, Scrooge will threaten to terminate his job. So he tries to warm himself as best he can without angering Scrooge.

• Despite the poor working conditions, Bob cannot afford to lose his job as he has a family to support. Bob suffers in silence for his family’s sake.

• Scrooge has no concern for Bob’s comfort or welfare. Bob’s efforts to warm himself at the candle are pitiful

“I’ll give Mr Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!”

Cratchit is generous enough to be grateful to his boss - he proposes a toast to Scrooge even on Christmas Day

“Ran home to Camden Town as hard as he could pelt”

Bob finds comfort and joy in his family and is excited about Christmas

“As good as gold” said Bob “and better”

• In contrast to Scrooge, who has been portrayed as exclusively caring for money, Bob is presented as caring much more for his family

• Suggesting those close to him are more valuable and important to him than material wealth

"Mrs Cratchit made the gravy hissing hot; Master Peter mashed the potatoes with incredible vigour; Miss Belinda sweetened up the apple-sauce."

• In a capitalist society, the individuals that obtained the wealth were unhappy but the poor (in this book) are quite content

• Despite the numerous problems that the poor face they're much more grateful for what they have and make the best use out of their money UNLIKE the capitalists (Scrooge)

• They might not have money but they do have what money cannot buy: love and compassion. This is emphasised by the rule of three which provides re-assurance of their teamwork

• Dickens presents the Cratchit family members as all having individual jobs and roles in the family that they support each other with, suggesting that society should similarly be like one big family where everybody supports each other.