Bob Cratchit

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Bob Cratchit
A Christmas Carol character
Tiny-tim-dickens.jpg
Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim as depicted in the 1870s by Fred Barnard
First appearance A Christmas Carol 1843
Created by Charles Dickens
Information
Nickname(s) Bob
Gender Male
Occupation Clerk
Spouse(s) Mrs. Cratchit (named Emily in some adaptations)
Children Martha,
Belinda,
Peter,
an unnamed son (named Matthew in some adaptations),
an unnamed daughter,
Tiny Tim.

Robert "Bob" Cratchit is a fictional character in the Charles Dickens novella A Christmas Carol. The abused, underpaid clerk of Ebenezer Scrooge, Cratchit has come to symbolize poor working conditions, especially long working hours.[1]

According to a comment by his wife, Cratchit works for 15 shillings a week at a rate of three pence ("thruppence") an hour for 60 hours per week. Until the decimalization of the British Pound in 1971, one shilling was twelve pence. Thus, fifteen shillings is 180 pence. It would take 60 hours to earn 180 at a rate of three pence per hour.[2] In terms of 2015 purchasing power, this would be approximately £63.00[3] or about $94 US per week.

Synopsis

Martha, Belinda, Peter, Matthew, Lucy, and Tiny Tim. Bob and Emily Cratchit.

Family

Seven members of Cratchit's family are mentioned in the original story, four of whom are named:

  • Mrs. Cratchit, Bob Cratchit's wife, who is named Emily in some adaptations.
  • Martha Cratchit, the eldest daughter, who works as an apprentice at a milliner's.
  • Belinda Cratchit, the second daughter.
  • Peter Cratchit, the heir, for whom his father is arranging employment at the weekly rate of five shillings and sixpence.
  • An unnamed younger son, named Matthew in some adaptations.
  • An unnamed younger daughter, named Lucy in some adaptations.
  • Timothy "Tiny Tim" Cratchit. He is desperately ill and walks with a crutch.

Notable actors who portrayed Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol

The role of Bob Cratchit has been performed (live action, voiced or animated) by, among others:

References

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