'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the Cratchits' Christmas
I can understand the role of the Cratchit family in 'A Christmas Carol'.
'A Christmas Carol' Stave 3: the Cratchits' Christmas
I can understand the role of the Cratchit family in 'A Christmas Carol'.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The Cratchits embody the values of Christmas: family; community; empathy; gratitude and Christmas spirit.
- Bob Cratchit’s name reflects that he is underpaid and impoverished.
- Tiny Tim was allegedly inspired by Dickens’ nephew, Harry, who was also disabled, but sadly passed away.
- Tiny Tim is a symbol of Scrooge’s selfishness and cruelty, as well as hope for his transformation.
- Dickens uses the Cratchits to humanise the poor and illustrate the direct (and personal) consequences of selfishness.
Common misconception
Students often believe that Bob Cratchit represents the most poor group of people in society.
Whilst Bob Cratchit certainly struggles for money and has to be resourceful to feed his family, he still has a job and a home.
Keywords
Theme - A theme is a central idea or message that is explored through a literary work.
Gratitude - If someone demonstrates gratitude, they are thankful for what they have.
Resourceful - Being resourceful means finding clever ways to overcome difficulties or challenges.
To exemplify - If a character exemplifies a theme, they are an example or representation of it.
To humanise - If you humanise something, you present it as a human being, so that people can empathise with it.
Equipment
This lesson requires a copy of Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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