The Cratchit
family represent the 'real life' people to whom Scrooge could be kind and charitable, which for
Dickens in this novel is a time of giving and generosity more than a Christian religious
festival. Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's clerk, is a poor man with a large family to support. In Stave
1, he is underpaid, and overworked, and bears Scrooge only goodwill, especially at Christmas
time. Cratchit uncomplainingly bears with Scrooge's meanness, and is contrasted with Scrooge's
nephew, Fred, who is relatively well-off, and only wants to invite his Uncle to a family
Christmas party, an invitation which Scrooge rebuffs.
In Stave 3, the Ghost
of Christmas Present shows Scrooge images of starving children, and mockingly asks Scrooge 'Are
there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?' The Ghost then reveals the reality of the Cratchit's
poverty at home, and we understand that Scrooge has no idea until now of the Cratchit family
struggles, including the care of their crippled son,...
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