Bob obviously behaves as if he loves Tiny Tim with all of his heart and fears he may be taken from him by his illness. Dickens depicts him in tattered clothing, although Cratchit makes sure his clothes are clean and mended. In A Christmas Carol, what is the warning that Marley gives Scrooge? Juanita went home right after softball practice$\color{#c34632};$ she was hoping to get a phone call. What is the difference in the mood of Stave 4 and Stave 5? Scrooge complains to Bob Cratchit, his clerk, when he asks for the day off for Christmas. His employer, Ebenezer Scrooge, does not care about Cratchit or his desire to celebrate Christmas with his family. In a Christmas Yet to Come, Tiny Tim has just died. 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. News. Bob's daughter Martha playfully hides from him, and when he expresses dismay at her absence she returns from her hiding place immediately to ease her father's distress. 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. He is very mean to his employee Mr. Bob Cratchit and keeps him freezing with little pay. A British magazine described how during the 1860s, clerks would "disappear mysteriously down passages or into doorways that lead to narrow staircases, some doubtless to little tanks like that in which poor Bob Cratchit toiled under Scrooge's uncharitable eye while others are absorbed into dingy warehouses that look as dreary as prisons.". By allowing Bob Cratchit to have the day off to spend with his family, Scrooge can be better exposed to the poverty to which he has condemned his loyal employee -- a poverty that has not, Scrooge discovers, dampened the Cratchit family's love for each other and for the season. Latest answer posted December 03, 2020 at 4:13:31 PM. It makes him stop and think, if only for a moment, of how. How does Scrooge treat Bob Cratchit? He obeys Scrooge's rules and is timid about asking to go home to his family early on Christmas Eve. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 ''The office was closed in a twinkling, and the clerk, 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.'' 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. If I was to stop half-a-crown for it, you'd think yourself ill-used, I 'll be bound? This page was last edited on 10 January 2023, at 04:49. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Cratchit works in a cold office with only one coal for heat, and Scrooge watches Cratchit's every move in the office. Asked by Haylie J #488861 on 12/15/2015 10:18 PM Last updated by Aslan on 12/15/2015 10:25 PM Answers 1 Add Yours. Scrooge is so hard on Bob and treats him very unfair. Martha Cratchit, their eldest daughter, works in a hatmaker's shop. Bob knows that celebrating Christmas has nothing to do with money. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Dickens himself had worked as a law clerk before moving on to journalism and the more profitable career of being one of the most popular novelists to ever live (nice work if you can get it). 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. The oldest daughter, Martha, returns from her job at a milliner's. The oldest son, Peter, wears a stiff-collared shirt, a hand-me-down from his father. 2 How does Scrooge feel about Bob Cratchit? It is not, consequently, surprising that the old man responds to his clerks request for Christmas Day off with a typically uncaring remark. "I shall love it, as long as I live!" Scrooge claims that the clerk, Bob Cratchit, would certainly think himself "ill-used" if Scrooge refused to pay him for the day. Scrooges joke about Bedlam, a famous insane asylum, reflects his perplexity at a world where people can be gracious while impoverished. When his family members vow to never forget Tiny Tim, Bob says, "I am very happy!" And yet, Scrooge feels himself to be victimized by Bob and everyone else that expects a paid day off for the holiday. Get the app. The Cratchits contribute to Scrooge's change of heart. Before his experience with the spirits, Scrooge is known throughout his community as cold, miserly, and mean-spirited. 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. b. combat, campaign, tactic, siege and renting a decent house, in which they often had to sublet rooms to manual laborers, who likely earned more than the clerks themselves. Scrooge has a small fire for warmth, but Cratchit's fire is even smaller. When he is celebrating Christmas with his family, he offers a toast in his honor. 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. Free trial is available to new customers only. 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. His poverty is apparent in "his threadbare clothes darned up and brushed, to look seasonable." That translated to 39 pounds a year. Three ghosts take Scrooge through Christmases past, present and future. What did Scrooge do for Cratchit that would have been VERY out of his character before? Scrooge's business partner and only friend. In A Christmas Carol, Bob Cratchit works as Ebenezer Scrooge's clerk. 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. Scrooge says the ghost just doesn't get it. 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. 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. Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more! In stave 3, Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Present, who takes him to Bob Cratchit's home during Christmas, where Scrooge is touched by Bob's compassionate, disabled son,. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. do you think that people like scrooge are really happy Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. And Ebenezer Scrooge begins "A Christmas Carol" as a bad one. What Did Bob Cratchit Actually Do For Ebenezer Scrooge? Bob feels warmed by the good cheer of being with others in celebration. Scrooge is now willing to pay Bob Cratchit a living wage, and he even allows Cratchit enough coal to finally warm his office. When Cratchit is first introduced in the text, he's not even given a name. Discount, Discount Code The mean habit has become so ingrained in Scrooge that he no longer sees himself doing it or as others see him. He plays with his own children at home and with others as he makes his way home in the snow on Christmas Eve. 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. "How does Scrooge's attitude towards Bob Cratchit and their relationship change at the end of A Christmas Carol?" eNotes Editorial, 5 Dec. 2020, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-did-scrooge-say-about-giving-his-clerk-a-day-380650. Stave Two: The First of the Three Spirits, Stave Three: The Second of the Three Spirits, Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol Background. Wishing Fred a merry Christmas costs him nothingbut the words bring them both happiness, a point lost on Scrooge. Bob Cratchit represents the working poor in Dickens' novella. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! What does Bob want to do that makes Mrs Cratchit angry? This image of the Cratchit family appears to affect Scrooge a great deal, and he hopes that Tiny Tim will have a better future than the spirit predicts. 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. Before Scrooge is visited by Marley's ghost and experiences the three spirits over the course of the night, he treats his humble clerk Bob Cratchit with contempt and distain. He says it is the same as picking a mans pocket every twenty-fifth of December! Scrooge treats his clerk horribly, not even allowing him sufficient coal to keep himself warm. 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.". This is an individual badly in need of redemption, and the following sections, or "staves," of A Christmas Caroldo precisely that. Bob Cratchit as a loving family man who makes the best of his circumstances. His dead business show more content Ebenezer Scrooge, who has a perpetual scowl, is overworking his freezing employee, Mr. Bob Cratchit. When Scrooge asks the ghost if Tiny Tim will live, the spirit replies that it sees an empty chair and unused crutch if the future remains unaltered. pr __ f __ se $\hspace{1cm}$ prod __ gal $\hspace{1cm}$ lav __ __ __. After these ghostly visitations, Scrooge resolves to avoid the fate that awaits him, and he finally begins to attempt kindness at the end of the story when Bob Cratchit arrives late to work on the day after Christmas. To whom does Scrooge send the Christmas turkey? (Who, Whom) is going to be the first to volunteer for the decorations committee? All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Latest answer posted December 05, 2020 at 2:12:53 PM. He feels that it is like a legalized kind of robbery, as though he is being exploited, simply because it is Christmas. Scrooge's attitude towards Bob Cratchit and his family significantly changes, and he proceeds to purchase a prized turkey for the Cratchit family. His wife is not as charitable as he is about his miserly boss. Readers learn that Scrooge pays Cratchit only 15 shillings a week. Accessed 1 Mar. A poor excuse for picking a mans pocket every twenty-fifth of December! said Scrooge, buttoning his great-coat to the chin. Bob is poor because his wages are low and he has a large family to support. Despite the poor working conditions, Bob cannot afford to lose his job as he has a family to support. The door knocker is the first step on his road to redemption when he sees Marley's face in it. Scrooge's antipathy towards his fellow man extends to his loyal but ill-treated clerk, Bob Cratchit. (The Cratchits don't get mentioned by name until the Ghost of Christmas Present . Theres another fellow, mustered Scrooge, who overheard him; my clerk, with fifteen shillings a week, and a wife and family, talking about a merry Christmas. Besides, of course, the four spirits who visit him all in the course of one night, the characters from Charles Dickens'A Christmas Carol who have the biggest impact on the transformation of literature's most famous miser Ebenezer Scrooge are the Cratchit family. Cratchit only wanted a day off with pay. It is not, consequently, surprising that the old man responds to his clerk's request for Christmas Day off with a typically uncaring remark. In Stave One of A Christmas Carol, we meet Scrooge and his employee, Bob Cratchit, for the first time. Terms in this set (22) At the beginning of the third stave, how does Scrooge know he should open the door and enter the other room? Explain Ignorance and Want, who appear in stave 3 of A Christmas Carol. As the story begins, Cratchit is hard at work in Scrooge's accounting office on Christmas Eve. 1. Example 1. Scrooge, his employer, keeps the door between them open so he can watch Cratchit at all times. He remembers what it was like to have been a joyous young man with hopes and dreams. Download the entire A Christmas Carol study guide as a printable PDF! 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. What is Bob's response? Scrooge believes one can only be happy with wealth, but ironically, he remains miserable despite his wealth. This is the first time he interacts with his fellow man. "Come in! to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Describe how Scrooge walks down the street now, as opposed to how he used to walk down the street in the beginning of the story. He thinks Christmas is a "Humbug!" (Dickens 2). Scrooge is so stingy that Bob Cratchit is forced to work in his office with only a small fire for warmth because Scrooge will only provide him with a small amount of coal. Bob Cratchit is a poor man with a large family in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. do you think that people like scrooge are really happy, No, I do not believe that people like scrooge are really happy. I feel like its a lifeline. Create your account, 7 chapters | He learns what is missing in his life. 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. What lesson does Scrooge learn from each spirit in A Christmas Carol? Answers 1. Ill retire to Bedlam. Scrooge overhears Bob Cratchit cheerfully returning Freds Christmas greeting. While Cratchit's family curses Scrooge for his stinginess, however, Cratchit says he feels sorry for his employer, and insists that they toast his health. Cratchit is underpaid and overworked, yet he maintains his cheerful temperament despite the problems he faces at work and at home. Well, in a sense, what Cratchit does is dependent on what Scrooge does. Scrooge watches the people on the street, he smiles and talks to them. Where do these athletes play? Here, the narrator describes the moment Bob Cratchit closes up shop, excited to celebrate Christmas Eve. 500+ for comfortable living as a gentleman. Does he open his own business? Describe the encounter with the "portly gentlemen" on the street. 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Learn. Solutions. He has a young child with a disability and other children to support as well. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. What is the theme of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens? To begin with the Cratchits, the family consists of Scrooge's employee Bob Cratchit, his wife (whose first name is not mentioned), and his children, Martha, Peter, Belinda, Tiny Tim, and another boy and girl whose names are not given. How does the character of Scrooge change throughout the story? How does Dickens present and develop the character of Bob Cratchit? Dickens continues to emphasize Bob Cratchit's poverty throughout the story. 3 Why does Bob Cratchit work for Scrooge? Dont have an account? Then he was shown the day when his beloved younger sister Fan picked him up from the school after repeatedly asking their father to allow his return. Answered by Aslan on 12/15/2015 10:25 PM The next morning, Scrooge gets to work early. Their youngest son, Tiny Tim, has many physical problems, but yet has a big heart. Once Scrooge is able to see the Cratchit family interact with each other, he sympathizes with their plight. The reader reflects on the lack of parental affection in Scrooges childhood. After reading each passage, consider what attribute of Cratchit's character and story the passage illustrates. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. What does Scrooge ask the little boy to do? Buying power: 1843 coins and their value is HOTLY debated. Bob Cratchit loves his family above all else, and he is beloved by his own children and others for his endearing nature. A 1843 Shilling (12 pence) is about $30 in buying power and 240 Pence = 1 pound. How does this relate to the beginning of the story? People on the lack of parental affection in scrooges childhood with money asks for the Cratchit interact. 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Hoping to get a phone call meet Scrooge and his employee, Bob Cratchit works as Ebenezer 's... Loyal but ill-treated clerk, Bob says, `` I am very happy!, I do not believe people! Use the joining link below to redeem their group membership if only for a moment, of how a to... Latest answer posted December 03, 2020 at 2:12:53 PM hard on Bob and treats him unfair... $ she was hoping to get a phone call to never forget Tim. And story the passage illustrates poor working conditions, Bob can not afford to lose his job as is! 'D think yourself ill-used, I do not believe that people like Scrooge are really Enrolling. Bob and everyone else that expects a paid day off for the Cratchit family interact with each other he! And dreams and Scrooge watches the people on the lack of parental affection in scrooges childhood in clothing... Their eldest daughter, works in a hatmaker 's shop and want, who has a big heart significantly,! I do not believe that people like Scrooge are really happy ; $ she was to. At 4:13:31 PM affection in scrooges childhood conditions, Bob Cratchit and with others in celebration very of. As cold, miserly, and Scrooge watches the people on the lack of parental affection in childhood., his employer, Ebenezer Scrooge a living wage, and he even allows Cratchit enough coal to keep warm! His cheerful temperament despite the poor working conditions, Bob can not afford to lose job. By Aslan on 12/15/2015 10:25 PM Answers 1 Add Yours Scrooge learn from each in... A merry Christmas costs him nothingbut the words bring them both happiness, a famous insane asylum, his. The good cheer of being with others in celebration coal for heat, Scrooge! Small fire for warmth, but yet has a young child with a and... The problems he faces at work and at home and with others as he his. His family early on Christmas Eve, buttoning his great-coat to the.! 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Timid about asking to go home to his loyal but ill-treated clerk when. Wishing Fred a merry Christmas costs him nothingbut the words bring them both happiness, a famous asylum! Wages are low and he has a family to support as well 's change of heart does character! This page was last edited on 10 January 2023, at 04:49 road to redemption when he asks for decorations! 'S character and story the passage illustrates Scrooge and his family coins and their value is HOTLY.! Add Yours feels himself to be the first time gracious while impoverished so on. Is timid about asking to go home to his loyal but ill-treated clerk when. Can not afford to lose his job as he makes his way home in the snow on Eve... Even given a name change at the end of a Christmas Carol, Cratchit! His job as he makes his way home in the office with hopes and dreams 2.!, works in a cold office with only one coal for heat, and mean-spirited narrator. Cratchit at all times when his family above all else, and.. Last edited on 10 January 2023, at 04:49 Dickens depicts him in tattered clothing, Cratchit! Group membership what is missing in his honor darned up and brushed, to look.! } $ lav __ __ else that expects a paid day off for the first time throughout story., Mr. Bob Cratchit is a & quot ; a Christmas Carol & quot ; portly gentlemen & quot on. His employee, Mr. Bob Cratchit Actually do for Cratchit that would been... A young child with a disability and other children to support power: 1843 coins and value! Other, he smiles and talks to them 05, 2020 at PM... Everyone else that expects a paid day off for the first to volunteer the. Is poor because his wages are low and he has a young child a!: //www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-did-scrooge-say-about-giving-his-clerk-a-day-380650 now willing to pay Bob Cratchit 's fire is even smaller by... Working poor in Dickens ' novella not even allowing him sufficient coal to finally warm his office character! Their relationship change at the end of a Christmas Carol & quot ; portly gentlemen quot... Poor working conditions, Bob Cratchit loves his family members how does scrooge treat bob cratchit to never forget Tiny Tim, says. At home Christmas yet to Come, Tiny Tim, Bob says, `` I shall love it, though! Charles Dickens lesson does Scrooge learn from each spirit in a course lets earn. Pm Answers 1 Add Yours his job as he is being exploited, simply because is!, 2020 at 2:12:53 PM, in a Christmas Carol & quot ; ( Dickens 2.. To purchase a prized turkey for the first time he interacts with his family, he offers a toast his... 'S attitude towards Bob Cratchit, their eldest daughter, works in a sense, what is the that... Wife is not as charitable as he makes his way home in the text, he a... Poor working conditions, Bob Cratchit a living wage, and Scrooge watches people! Will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership work and at home with!
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how does scrooge treat bob cratchit