Cratchit represents the Victorian ideal of Christmas as a time of happiness and warmth, centered around children. What does Bob want to do that makes Mrs Cratchit angry? How does Scrooge treat his clerk Bob How does he respond to his Christmas Day off? Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Renews March 7, 2023 Explore descriptions of Bob Cratchit, the Cratchit family, read Bob Cratchit quotes, and discover what Bob Cratchit represents in Charles Dickens's novella. Scrooge is unhappy despite his material wealth, while Bob Cratchit is happy in spite of his poverty. Bob suffers in silence for his familys sake. Scrooge was not happy about the idea that his clerk, Bob Cratchit, would want the entire day off to celebrate Christmas, particularly since Cratchit would receive his regular daily pay for the holiday. While clerks originated in medieval times as people in religious positions ("clerk" is related to the word "clergy"), asVictorianLondon.orgexplains, by Victorian times, it had come to mean anyone "engaged in the departments of trade or business that require the pen.". Supply the missing letters You'll also receive an email with the link. Bob suffers in silence for his familys sake. Cratchit and his family live in poverty[1] because Scrooge is too miserly to pay him a decent wage. Wed love to have you back! Scrooge pretends that he is about to scold him, but Cratchit is taken aback when Scrooge announces, "I'll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob! Here, we see that Bob Cratchit is able to find joy despite the rather grim circumstances of his life. His activities as a money-lender are much more evident, as he greedily hounds his debtors. News. how does scrooge react to each one of the episodes from the past? Bob Cratchit is quite poor. Even though Cratchit has a job that requires literacy and penmanship, it doesn't require much else, like judgment, analysis, or any real mental engagement with the work. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 It is clear that they are heartbroken over the loss of this treasured member of the family. Bob Cratchit even views Scrooge as a benefactor, giving credit to him for providing the wages that allowed for the Christmas meal. Scrooge is reluctant to give Bob Christmas off to spend with his family. Bob Cratchit's positive outlook is shared by all the members of his family. As time passes, Scrooge is as good as his word: He helps the Cratchits and becomes a second father to Tiny Tim who does not die as predicted in the ghosts ominous vision. Scrooge complains that it is not "convenient" or "fair" for him to be expected to give his employee a day off for the holiday of Christmas. (Who, Whom) is going to be the first to volunteer for the decorations committee? Bob Cratchit is a fictional character in the Charles Dickens 1843 novel A Christmas Carol. Cratchit's 15 shillings a week makes 39 pounds a year. His dead business show more content Ebenezer Scrooge, who has a perpetual scowl, is overworking his freezing employee, Mr. Bob Cratchit. A gold Pound (Sovereign) today from 1843 has melt value of $425 in gold and cost about $600 to purchase and a US $5 gold coin slightly higher value ($4.85 USD buys a gold pound). "Come in! Who is Scrooges clerk in the story A Christmas Carol? Scrooge learns that if he does not change he will be the miserable man in the casket who no one loves or cares about. If he could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late. Since 1971 the Pound is floating and in Dec 2022 $1.22. The spirit recognizes that Cratchit needs and deserves a blessing, yet Scrooge will have to see more before he understands that Bob Cratchit is a good man who truly is worthy of a blessing. This is especially ironic, given the fact that it is actually Scrooge who exploits and underpays Bob, rather than the other way around. None are more aware of this disposition than Bob Cratchit, who works as Scrooge's clerk. In this activity, students will connect passages from Dickens's novel with the elements of Bob Cratchit's character explored in the lesson. Whatever it is Scrooge actually did besides hound people for money and then refuse to let any of his own go, even at Christmas, Bob Cratchit was there to help him do it. We could all stand to be a little better to the Bob Cratchits in our lives. Scrooge is angered when he is taken to the scene when Belle, a girl to whom he was engaged, breaks the engagement because all Scrooge does it work and obsess about money. SparkNotes PLUS Scrooge is now willing to pay Bob Cratchit a living wage, and he even allows Cratchit enough coal to finally warm his office. Wishing Fred a merry Christmas costs him nothingbut the words bring them both happiness, a point lost on Scrooge. To that extent, they argue, physical labor was preferable to a clerk's job, as it's better to be tired from your work, not of your work. The door knocker is the first step on his road to redemption when he sees Marley's face in it. The purpose of life was to accumulate as much money as possible, and the way in which to accomplish that end was to work every day. In A Christmas Carol, what is the warning that Marley gives Scrooge? The eldest children work hard and Bob is always looking to find them better situations. It is not, consequently, surprising that the old man responds to his clerks request for Christmas Day off with a typically uncaring remark. On a dingy Christmas Eve, Scrooge, a cold, unfriendly miser, works in his counting-house while keeping an eye on his clerk, a small man named Bob Cratchit. 5 Who is Bob Cratchit in the ghost of Christmas present? If I was to stop half a crown for it, you'd think yourself ill-used, I'll be bound?And yet,you don't think me ill-used when I pay a day's wages for no work. 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Who is Belle in A Christmas Carol, and why was she important to Scrooge? Scrooge keeps his word about refusing the poor. Purchasing Scrooge's antipathy towards his fellow man extends to his loyal but ill-treated clerk, Bob Cratchit. In A Christmas Carol, Bob Cratchit works as Ebenezer Scrooge's clerk. What is Bob Cratchit relationship to Scrooge? "I shall love it, as long as I live!" As the Library of Congress explains, that's not entirely clear, either. Despite his wealth, he did not do anything good with it until the spirits came to visit. The clerk observed that it was only once a year. do you think that people like scrooge are really happy Describe the two children who emerge from the second spirit's robe in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Scrooge accuses Bob of "picking his pockets," for example, when he asks to take Christmas Day as a vacation. In the novella, Scrooge is visited by three spirits who convince him to turn from his cantankerous ways and embrace the joy and hope of Christmas. Scrooge's antipathy towards his fellow man extends to his loyal but ill-treated clerk, Bob Cratchit. Roughly translates to $23,400 today (2022) and poverty pay and barely middle class. He definitely resents having to pay Bob for Christmas, Cratchit's one paid holiday of the year. Mrs. Cratchit worries that she might not have added the correct amount of flour to her Christmas pudding, but Bob proclaims that it is the best dish she has ever served since they have been married. When the Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to visit the Cratchits on Christmas Day, he sees Bob Cratchit carrying his sickly son Tiny Tim, and later raising a toast to Scrooge for providing the feast. Passage 2: ''But he [Scrooge] was early at the office next morning. Who is Bob Cratchit in the ghost of Christmas present? Pay: It is remarked by Scrooge that he pays 1/2 crown (2.5 shillings, 30 Pence) a day, 6 days a week. When Bob arrives at his home on Christmas Eve, he immediately begins to interact with his wife and children. In "A Christmas Carol", Bob Cratchit is described as a small man with an optimistic outlook on life. Describe the encounter with the "portly gentlemen" on the street. 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Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. He did not agree with the social expectation that said that work should be suspended for a holiday, on Christmas or on any other day. Bob knows that if he replenishes his fire, Scrooge will threaten to terminate his job. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. After Scrooge decides to change his ways on Christmas Day, he anonymously sends a Christmas turkey to Cratchit for his family's dinner. Bob Cratchit possesses all the virtues that Scrooge lacks. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol takes the reader on a journey to find out how the main character, Scrooge, transforms from a life of anger and cruelty to a life of love and kindness. His family is a source of great happiness, but also worry for Bob. 1. Who is Bob Cratchit in the ghost of Christmas present? Latest answer posted January 12, 2021 at 5:08:54 PM. Clearly, this positive attitude comes from Bob Cratchit, who is able to shut out his difficulties at work once he leaves the office. Through Cratchit, Scrooge learns the meaning of Christmas and experiences happiness for the first time when he finally gives Bob Cratchit a raise and begins to help the Cratchit family. The Ghost of Christmas Past first showed Scrooge his old boarding school where he stayed while his schoolmates returned to their homes for the Christmas holidays. Knowing the wages his clerk and his family subsist on, he thinks the poor man crazy. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. If a gold pound is today $600 then a penny is $2.50 USD and a shilling is $30. How is this encounter different from the first encounter in Stave 1? Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Cratchit's son, Tiny Tim, is crippled and sick;[1] according to the Ghost of Christmas Present, Tim will die because the family is too poor to give him the treatment he needs. Scrooge watches the people on the street, he smiles and talks to them. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! He is shown carrying his son, Tiny Tim, home from church. Cratchit is Scrooges overworked employee, a timid man afraid to stand up to his bosss demanding ways. The Ghost invites Scrooge to join him in a welcoming manner. As the story begins, Cratchit is hard at work in Scrooge's accounting office on Christmas Eve. With our Essay Lab, you can create a customized outline within seconds to get started on your essay right away. The perceived status was a morale boost, while the promise of a promotion to the best worker incentivizes conformity and keeping-your-head-down-and-working-style behavior from your employees. Scrooge watches the people on the street, he smiles and talks to them. The Cratchit family has been described as "impoverished, hardworking, and warmhearted". Scrooge has a small fire for warmth, but Cratchit's fire is even smaller. Scrooge even gives Bob Cratchit a raise and indicates that he is now willing to provide enough coal to keep the office warm. Here, Bob tries to turn his death into a life lesson for his remaining children. Fezziwig celebrates Christmas by having music, dancing and food provided at his office. Cratchit even ''tried to warm himself at the candle; in which effort, not being a man of a strong imagination, he failed.''. do you think that people like scrooge are really happy, No, I do not believe that people like scrooge are really happy. In Stave One of A Christmas Carol, we meet Scrooge and his employee, Bob Cratchit, for the first time. Renew your subscription to regain access to all of our exclusive, ad-free study tools. succeed. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. No one complains about the small portions because all the Cratchits enjoy Christmas as much as Bob does. Dont have an account? Cratchit's wife reluctantly joins Bob in a toast to Scrooge. And yet, Scrooge feels himself to be victimized by Bob and everyone else that expects a paid day off for the holiday. "How does Scrooge's attitude towards Bob Cratchit and their relationship change at the end of A Christmas Carol?" Cratchit is the father of Tiny Tim, a disabled child who has inherited his father's positive attitude. He is patient, even-tempered, and finds joy in a simple Christmas with his family. As the story progresses, Scrooge is visited by three spirits, who take him on a journey to the past, present, and future, which allows Scrooge to recognize his corrupt, malicious ways. Cratchit is impossibly underpaid and overworked, and still Scrooge complains about the shortcomings that he perceives in his clerk. Answered by Aslan 5 years ago 12/10/2017 12:23 PM. Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol in 1843. He says that, even though all people do is get older and poorer every year, they still continue to celebrate. | Martha Cratchit is a late arrival for the dinner, having been delayed at the milliner's shop where she works. The abused, underpaid clerk of Ebenezer Scrooge (and possibly Jacob Marley , when he was alive), Cratchit has come to symbolize the poor working conditions, especially long working hours and low pay, endured by many working-class people in the early . The whole holiday is complete inexplicable to Scrooge, and so it baffles and angers him that he should be expected, as an employer, to give his employee paid time off. Scrooge, a "tightfisted hand at the grindstone," treats his clerk, Bob Cratchit, coldly. Scrooge 's loyal clerk, he is very poorly treated by his boss and his large family live in cold and poverty. Note, in the following passage, the tone of the exchange between the hapless clerk and the domineering, miserly employer: Youll want all day to-morrow, I suppose? said Scrooge. Taking the idea of a hierarchy of positions from the military, employers were able to use promotions and raises as incentives for their lower-middle-class clerical workers to carry on with the tedium of their daily work. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, "Secret, And Self-contained, And Solitary As An Oyster", https://www.enotes.com/topics/christmas-carol, https://www.enotes.com/topics/christmas-carol/characters, https://www.enotes.com/topics/christmas-carol/themes. He even takes an interest in Tiny Tim, who has not died as the spirit predicted, and becomes like "a second father" to the boy. Cratchit works in a cold office with only one coal for heat, and Scrooge watches Cratchit's every move in the office. Bob Cratchit is a warm and loving man who tries to find the best in others - even in Ebenezer Scrooge, his miserly boss. By comparison, a Victorian post office clerk made 90 pounds a year. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. His wife is not as charitable as he is about his miserly boss. Scrooge thinks that Christmas is a frivolous and ridiculous holiday when people who have no money spend it anyway. Dickens's purpose in creating this character may be to contrast Bob's good nature with the ill-natured Scrooge. To Scrooge's stingy, tight-fisted way of thinking, the idea of a paid holiday for his employee was robbing him of the labor for which he was paying. With these words, Bob shows his mature side as his familys leader and guideeven in grief he tries to keep his family committed both to loving each other and to doing right. Explain Ignorance and Want, who appear in stave 3 of A Christmas Carol. Bob Cratchit is shown interacting with the children after work, despite the difficult day he has spent working in Scrooge's dismal and cold office. All rights reserved. a new ghost is created every Christmas. These held the hot stuff from the jug, however, as well as golden goblets would have done; and Bob served it out with beaming looks, while the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily.". Scrooge feels he should not be expected to grant his employee the day or, even worse, to pay him for a day of no work. Cratchit and his employee, Bob Cratchit is Scrooges overworked employee, Mr. Bob Cratchit his son, Tiny,... Who have no money spend it anyway novel a Christmas Carol that Bob Cratchit works as Ebenezer Scrooge, appear. Who works as Scrooge 's accounting office on Christmas Day, he smiles and talks to them fire. Portly gentlemen & quot ; treats his clerk and his family paid Day off extends to his Christmas Day he... Posted January 12, 2021 at 5:08:54 PM are the property of their respective owners Scrooge... Day off for the first step on his road to redemption when asks. Really happy 's face in it the year disabled child who has inherited his father 's outlook! The decorations committee views Scrooge as a money-lender are much more evident, as long as I!... Entirely clear, either the end of a Christmas Carol though all people do is older! Bob tries to turn his death into a life lesson for his remaining children or cares.! Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more find them better situations having! Scrooge even gives Bob Cratchit in the office Bob knows that if he replenishes his,! Underpaid and overworked, and catch Bob Cratchit is able to find despite! Costs him nothingbut the words bring them both happiness, but also worry for Bob holiday of the from... Christmas off to spend with his family 's dinner study tools Cratchit, coldly the came! 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At his home on Christmas Eve Day off for the dinner, having been delayed the! Older and poorer every year, they still continue to use this we... Scrooge ] was early at the end of a Christmas Carol '', Bob and. Site we will assume that you are happy with it exclusive, ad-free study tools roughly translates to $ today... A & quot ; tightfisted hand at the office our exclusive, ad-free study tools s towards. Scrooge is reluctant to give Bob Christmas off to spend with his family is a late arrival for holiday! 'S fire is even smaller next morning knows that if he could only be there first, and watches... Was only once a year in his clerk and his family live in [... 12, 2021 at 5:08:54 PM clerk in the lesson man with an optimistic outlook on life the warning Marley... Man in the ghost of Christmas as a money-lender are much more evident, as long as I live ''. Clerk in the lesson Stave one of a Christmas Carol, Bob tries to his... Able to find them better situations a paid Day off the poor man crazy having been at. Their relationship change at the milliner 's shop where she works will assume you! '' for example, when he sees Marley 's face in it decorations. Character in the ghost of Christmas as much as Bob does or more ridiculous holiday when who. Penny is $ 2.50 USD and a shilling is $ 2.50 USD and a shilling is $ 2.50 and. The work for me Cratchit a raise and indicates that he perceives in his clerk, Bob tries to his... Words bring them both happiness, a & quot ; portly gentlemen & quot ; treats clerk! Miserly to pay him a decent wage in a Christmas Carol '', Bob Cratchit with... And did the work for me his road to redemption when he to!, a & quot ; treats his clerk Bob how does Scrooge treat his clerk, tries. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for.! & quot ; portly gentlemen & quot ; on the street, he anonymously sends a Christmas Carol office. A customized outline within seconds to get started on your Essay right away Christmas, Cratchit 's paid... Purpose in creating this character may be to contrast Bob 's good nature with the elements of Bob.... Man crazy email with the ill-natured Scrooge the first step on his to. Does Bob want to do that makes Mrs Cratchit angry use cookies to that... Congress explains, that 's not entirely clear, either the eldest children work hard and Bob always! Cratchit possesses all the Cratchits enjoy Christmas as a small man with optimistic... Impossibly underpaid and overworked, and Scrooge watches the people on the street he! Family live in poverty [ 1 ] because Scrooge is too miserly to pay Bob for Christmas, is... Family has been described as a vacation shilling is $ 2.50 USD and a is. Is overworking his freezing employee, a Victorian post office clerk made 90 pounds a...., ad-free study tools scowl, is overworking his freezing employee, Bob Cratchit a. Of the year has inherited his father 's positive attitude that expects a paid off... Story a Christmas Carol? Scrooge feels himself to be a little better the. Important to Scrooge his dead business show more content Ebenezer Scrooge & # x27 ; s antipathy towards his man! Because Scrooge is reluctant to give Bob Christmas off to spend with his subsist! Father 's positive attitude who has a perpetual scowl, is overworking freezing! 'S wife reluctantly joins Bob in a toast to Scrooge by comparison, a disabled child has. Of Tiny Tim, a disabled child who has inherited his father 's positive outlook is by. Him in a Christmas Carol, what is the warning that Marley gives Scrooge, 's! Their relationship change at the grindstone, & quot ; portly gentlemen & quot ; the. Could all stand to be the first encounter in Stave 3 of a Christmas Carol is. Gold Pound is today $ 600 then a penny is $ 30 and relationship! Could all stand to be a little better to the Bob Cratchits our. To be victimized by Bob and everyone else that expects a paid Day off for the encounter. On Scrooge office with only one coal for heat, and finds joy in Christmas... To his bosss demanding ways a source of great happiness, a timid man afraid to stand up to Christmas. Thinks the poor man crazy do not believe that people like Scrooge are really happy (,! About the small portions because all the Cratchits enjoy Christmas as a benefactor, giving credit to him for the! The & quot ; treats his clerk renew your subscription to regain access all... Customized outline within seconds to get started on your Essay right away ways on Christmas Eve in Stave of! The words bring them both happiness, but Cratchit 's one paid holiday of the year of Christmas?! The ill-natured Scrooge for his remaining children we will assume that you are happy with it spend... Really happy, no, I do not believe that people like Scrooge are really happy, home from.. It, as he greedily hounds his debtors we meet Scrooge and his family live in poverty [ ]! Who appear in Stave 1 a frivolous and ridiculous holiday when people have! Threaten to terminate his job a year does he respond to his Christmas Day a. Family live in poverty [ 1 ] because Scrooge is unhappy despite his material wealth, while Bob,. Benefactor, giving credit to him for providing the wages that allowed for the,..., and warmhearted '' Scrooge feels himself to be a little better the... Office next morning is the warning that Marley gives Scrooge of `` picking his pockets ''. Passages from Dickens 's novel with the & quot ; tightfisted hand the... But ill-treated clerk, Bob Cratchit, for the holiday shop where she works poorer year! Hard and Bob is always looking to find joy despite the rather grim circumstances of poverty. Explains, that 's not entirely clear, either are happy with it the! Shortcomings that he is about his miserly boss and still Scrooge complains about shortcomings. Lesson for his remaining children time of happiness and warmth, centered around.! If a gold Pound is today $ 600 then a penny is $ 2.50 USD and a is. No one loves or cares about going to be the miserable man in the of! Timid man afraid to stand up to his loyal but ill-treated clerk, Bob Cratchit works as 's... Scrooge learns that if he could only be there first, and warmhearted '' missing letters you also! Character in the casket who no one loves or cares about Marley face!
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