Bob Cratchit

Question 1

Quotes for Bob Cratchit

Answer 1

-“the Clerk”
-“dismal little cell”
-“[he] tried to warm himself at the candle”
-“I’ll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!”
-“My little, little child!” cried Bob. “My little child!”

Question 2

Analyse “[he] tried to warm himself at the candle”

Answer 2

-Pitiful verb ‘tried’ creates a sense of helplessness due to cruel treatment at work from Scrooge
-‘candle’ highlight poor provisions given by the parsimonious Scrooge. However the ‘candle’ symbolises light&warmth of Cratchit even when he is in poverty. Link to subversion of societal view of working class as lazy and crimogenic

Question 3

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

Answer 3

-Giving a toast to Scrooge exemplifies his compassion, as he is grateful for the little he receives.
-“Founder”- respect given to Scrooge even he does not deserve it. Superiority of upper class, Cratichet gives Scrooge a sense of importance even in his absence. Power struggle

Question 4

Analyse “‘My little, little child!’ cried Bob. ‘My little child!’”

Answer 4

-Repetition of ‘little’ connoting vulnerability of Tiny Tim
-Personal pronoun ‘my’; Tiny Tim is very close to Bob.
-Exclamatives shows the deep care that Bob has for his family.
-Strong familial bond presented in the Cratchits- contrast to Scrooge’s relationship w his family

Question 5

Analyse “the Clerk”

Answer 5

-Bob is not given a name in Stave 1 and is referred to as ‘the clerk’.
-Reveals Scrooge disregards Bob and dehumanises him by not calling him his name.
-Reflects how lower class did not have individual identities and were only recognised for their service.
-Bob is the representation of the plight of the poor, creating sympathy for lower class

Question 6

Analyse “dismal little cell”

Answer 6

-‘cell’ has connotations of prison- conditions were like prisons. Represent the cycle of poverty the poor are trapped in as if was a ‘cell’.
-‘little’ is symbol of how Scrooge views Bob; he looks down on Bob and believes in the rigid class system
-‘dismal’ juxtaposes Bobs character; shows resilience & stoic nature even in terrible working conditions