3 Why does Bob Cratchit work for Scrooge? A Christmas Carol was first published in 1843. It is obvious that Scrooge is taking out much of his isolation and bitterness on Cratchit, and it is often Cratchit's severely ill son, Tiny Tim, that pays the dearest price for Scrooge's outrageously poor treatment of his employee. The clerk observed that it was only once a year. Characters. In Stave One of Charles Dickens'sA Christmas Carol, the character of Ebenezer Scrooge is quickly and thoroughly developed as a wealthy but bitter old man, friendless and contemptuous of those around him. What did Scrooge do for Cratchit that would have been VERY out of his character before? Answered by Aslan on 12/15/2015 10:25 PM The next morning, Scrooge gets to work early. He remembers what it was like to have been a joyous young man with hopes and dreams. After reading each passage, consider what attribute of Cratchit's character and story the passage illustrates. His youngest son, Tiny Tim, is the light of Bob's life but is very ill and needs medical attention that Bob can't . Very simply, Bob Cratchit changes from being a thing to emerging as a human being in Scrooge's eyes. Scrooge even gives Bob Cratchit a raise and indicates that he is now willing to provide enough coal to keep the office warm. on 50-99 accounts. Scrooge believes one can only be happy with wealth, but ironically, he remains miserable despite his wealth. Readers view the scene through Scrooges eyes, his choice of words conveying a sense of wonder at Bobs behavior. Latest answer posted December 04, 2020 at 3:57:47 PM. Latest answer posted January 12, 2021 at 5:08:54 PM. Scrooge treats his clerk poorly and harshly. Bob suffers in silence for his familys sake. 6 Who is Bob Cratchit in the Great Gatsby? How Does Scrooge Change In A Christmas Carol. When Scrooge finally allows his employees to leave work on Christmas Eve, Bob Cratchit "with the long ends of his white comforter dangling below his waist (for he boasted no great-coat), went down a slide on Cornhill, at the end of a lane of boys, twenty times, in honour of its being Christmas Eve, and then ran home to Camden Town as hard as he could pelt, to play at blindman's-buff." Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. Latest answer posted December 06, 2020 at 12:31:06 PM. 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. He stopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the season on the clerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge, for he returned them cordially. Scrooge is so hard on Bob and treats him very unfair. Did Scrooge keep his word? Scrooge may be realizing for the first time how much some fathers love their children. Insert semicolons where they are needed in the following sentence. Scrooge (and formerly Marley) is apparently a merchant, but it's never clear exactly what he sells. Bob knows that celebrating Christmas has nothing to do with money. Martha Cratchit is a late arrival for the dinner, having been delayed at the milliner's shop where she works. Cratchit works in a cold office with only one coal for heat, and Scrooge watches Cratchit's every move in the office. Scrooge complains to Bob Cratchit, his clerk, when he asks for the day off for Christmas. He says it is the same as "picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December!" Scrooge treats his clerk horribly, not even allowing him sufficient coal to keep himself warm. What does Bob want to do that makes Mrs Cratchit angry? Two tumblers, and a custard-cup without a handle. A series of spirits show Scrooge various scenes in the story, and the second spirit allows Scrooge to see Christmas dinner at the Cratchit home. If I was to stop half-a-crown for it, you'd think yourself ill-used, I 'll be bound? Why do the portly man and then the thin man visit Scrooge. He has a young child with a disability and other children to support as well. Tiny Tim is younger than these three children and seems relentlessly happy, although he must wear leg braces and walk with crutches. Scrooge's door is open so he can keep a constant vigil on the clerk. Yet all of the Cratchits adore the young child who must use a crutch and body brace to walk. 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. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. The workers were dissatisfied therefore, they considered a strike. He says that, even though all people do is get older and poorer every year, they still continue to celebrate. Cratchit simply asks Scrooge for Christmas Day off, with pay of course. Ace your assignments with our guide to A Christmas Carol! Bob is stunned, but Scrooge promises to stay true to his word. It's a white-collar job, albeit the barrel-bottom level of it for a mere15 shillings a week, which is a pittance, barely enough to feed Cratchit's family and not enough for him to afford a coat. Bob has larger concerns for his family, however, particularly regarding his son Tiny Tim. Charles Dickens' protagonist Ebenezer Scrooge and the transformation he undergoes, reveals that happiness is not found through monetary gain, but through our relationships with others. Scrooge's response to this request is to inquire whether prison is not an appropriate venue in which to house such individuals and families. The Cratchits contribute to Scrooge's change of heart. (secarse) Uds. Bob knows that if he replenishes his fire, Scrooge will threaten to terminate his job. Scrooge raised Cratchit's salary, promised to help his family, bought his lunch, built up the fires, and bought another coal scuttle so Crachit could have coal whenever he wished. He is the first spirit to visit Scrooge. What lesson does Scrooge learn from each spirit in A Christmas Carol? A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is the story of a greedy man named Ebenezer Scrooge. Answered by Aslan 5 years ago 12/10/2017 12:23 PM. ` `You'll want all day tomorrow, I suppose?'' said Scrooge. You can view our. Download the entire A Christmas Carol study guide as a printable PDF! Cratchit only wanted a day off with pay. To Scrooge, Cratchit is nothing more than a necessary machine, and he wants to keep the cost of maintaining this machine as low as possible. About Quizlet. "They were not a handsome family; they were not well dressed; their shoes were far from being water-proof; their clothes were scanty; and Peter might have known, and very likely did, the inside of a pawnbroker's." Bob Cratchit's positive outlook is shared by all the members of his family. SparkNotes PLUS 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. To whom does Scrooge send the Christmas turkey? In a Christmas Yet to Come, Tiny Tim has just died. Who is Bob Cratchit? 5 Who is Bob Cratchit in the ghost of Christmas present? What does Scrooge do when Bob comes in late? 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. It is not, consequently, surprising that the old man responds to his clerks request for Christmas Day off with a typically uncaring remark. 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. The Cratchits benefit from Scrooge's change of heart, with Bob Cratchit, up till now a member of the working poor, receiving a raise and enough coal to finally stay warm in his office. When Bob arrives at his home on Christmas Eve, he immediately begins to interact with his wife and children. Add Yours. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Purchasing Scrooge pretended to be angry when Cratchit came in late the next morning, then he raised Bob's salary. It is not, consequently, surprising that the old man responds to his clerk's request for Christmas Day off with a typically uncaring remark. And so while a clerk might be involved in any level of white-collar office administration work, including accounting, copy-editing, or record-keeping, Bob Cratchit's primary role seems to be as a copyist, copying Scrooge's letters by hand, even when the ink freezes. Although a good and mature man and father, Bob possesses a childlike appreciation of innocent funwhich may be, in part, why he is such a good father. Learn. He works for Ebenezer Scrooge and he is quite loyal to his employer despite the fact that Scrooge is an irritable cheapskate. When Cratchit is first introduced in the text, he's not even given a name. How does Scrooge treat Bob Cratchit? Three ghosts take Scrooge through Christmases past, present and future. What lesson does Scrooge learn from each spirit in A Christmas Carol? How does the character of Scrooge change throughout the story? He thinks Christmas is a "Humbug!" (Dickens 2). Dickens wastes no time establishing that his protagonist is a mean, vindictive individual with seemingly no redeeming qualities. Bob Cratchit is described as physically small in stature. Here, Bob tries to turn his death into a life lesson for his remaining children. How does Scrooge feel about Bob Cratchit? What does Bob Cratchit go on to do in his life? The family is happy despite their circumstances, however. Scrooge refuses to give money In Stave I Scrooge is asked to make a donation for the 'Poor and destitute' of society. He is patient, even-tempered, and finds joy in a simple Christmas with his family. 500+ for comfortable living as a gentleman. Here, we see that Bob Cratchit is able to find joy despite the rather grim circumstances of his life. He even begrudges Cratchit's taking Christmas off to be with Tiny Tim and the rest of his family. SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. 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