Point: loving father and husband

t g s a b M C s t m

Bob is presented as the ideal family figure who valued, loved and respected his family. He appreciates their efforts (calling the meal “the greatest success achieved by Mrs Cratchit since their marriage”) and worries when one of them is missing. In this way, Dickens introduces the idea that family should be an essential focus of the festive time. When the Ghost of Christmas Present visits the Cratchit household with Scrooge the reader is exposed to a different side of Bob. Dickens depicts him as a loving father and husband, which could be interpreted as an idealisation of the lower class. Despite his poor wages and cruel employer, Bob Cratchit remains grateful and compassionate, celebrating Christmas in a way that the significantly richer Scrooge never could.

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The relationship between Bob and Mrs Cratchit again furthers the idealisation of his character as they cultivate love and happiness between them. This is emphasised when he remarks that she is a “good wife”

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T T u h s

Bob’s youngest child, Tiny Tim, is described as a “cripple”. He is arguably a symbol to showcase the loving aspect of Bob’s character and causes the reader to sympathise with him more as we understand the intricate difficulties of his life. This is seen most notably following Tiny Tim’s death in Stave Four, where we witness Bob trying to remain peaceful despite his grief. He reminds his family not to “quarrel easily” amongst each other in order to honour Tiny Tim’s memory. In addition to building sympathy towards Bob, Tiny Tim’s character is also used to foreground Bob’s virtue. Dickens details how Bob returned from church with “Tiny Tim upon his shoulder'' . This adds religious weight to his goodness, presenting his character as morally righteous, which is solidified by the pastoral image of him holding his child.

‘M l, l c!’ c B. ‘M l c!’

“‘My little, little child!’ cried Bob. ‘My little child!’” Dickens uses epimone (the repetition of a word or phrase to emphasise a point) in order to further the frail and weak characterisation of Tiny Tim. This causes the reader to sympathise more with the situation as they realise the tragic nature of the death of a child. The reader understands the strong emotions Bob must be feeling, as he is at a loss for words and can describe Tim as nothing but “little”. The term connotes ideas of innocence and helplessness, furthering the injustice of the situation.