The Crachits

Question 1

Adjectives

Answer 1

Considerate
Positive
Grateful

Question 2

Paragraph 1 (Considerate)

Answer 2

“As good as gold”

Simile shows how considerate Bob Cratchit is of his youngest son. Even though he’s disabled, his behaviour is very good and Bob shows that he is proud of Tiny Tim. (Stave 3)

“Who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge; for he returned them cordially”.
- Double meaning as Cratchit is literally colder than Scrooge due to a lack of fire but a metaphorical meaning as Cratchit’s warm nature contrasts Scrooge as he is cold and spiteful. The adverb ‘cordially’ also shows how Cratchit is much more considerate towards people than Scrooge. (Stave 1)

“Quiet. Very quiet. The noisy little Cratchits were as still as statues.”
- The short sentences are used to contrast the tone of Stave 3, where the Cratchits were in high spirits. The simile used could be to highlight that they are considerate of the fact that it’s Tiny Tim’s funeral, which is much more dark than the dinner in stave 3. (Stave 4)

Question 3

Paragraph 2 (Positive)

Answer 3

“The clerk smiled faintly”
- Adverb ‘faintly’ shows that Bob Cratchit is still able to find joy and positivity, even within the gloominess of Scrooge’s office. (Stave 1)

“And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, everyone!”
- Dickens ends the novella with Tiny Tim’s words, using religious imagery, to enforce a final positive message out of a story of morals and often difficulty for a lot of the characters. It brings hope to the poor, which could’ve been Dickens’s aim at a time like Christmas. (Stave 5)

“My clerk with 15 shillings-a-week, and a wife and family, talking about a merry Christmas”
- Scrooge shows his surprise because Bob is able to bring positivity despite being on a small wage and working with someone as miserable as Scrooge. (Stave 1)

“And to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father”
- Dickens uses the metaphor of a ‘second father’ to emphasise how much the Cratchits have changed Scrooge. Their positivity has almost rubbed off on Scrooge as he feels as if he is responsible for taking care of Tim, as a son. The joy felt by the Cratchits has spread to other people. (Stave 5)

Question 4

Paragraph 3 (Grateful)

Answer 4

“Scrooge had a very small fire, but his clerk’s fire was so very much smaller, that it looked like one coal.”
- Hyperbolic language used is effective because it shows how Bob is able to make a living out of the bare minimum that’s given. Him and his family are poor enough without him, so he does not complain to Scrooge about his cold working conditions. (Stave 1)

“Dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons”
+ “also brave in ribbons” (referencing Belinda Cratchit)
- Adjective ‘brave’ is used to show how the Cratchits (Mrs Cratchit here) are making the most of what they have and how they can turn poor clothes into something for themselves. The repetition of this phrase is also useful to show how the family as a whole is grateful for what they have and how they know that their situation is not great financially, but it doesn’t down their spirit. (Stave 3)

“Came tearing in, screaming luxurious thoughts of sage and onion”
- Dickens juxtaposes luxury feasts and cheap ingredients to show that the occasion means so much to the Cratchits. Even though they can’t afford rich items, they are always grateful for whatever food they can buy and eat, representing the strength of the Christmas spirit (Stave 3)