Character Analysis — Supporting Characters

While Scrooge is the central figure, the supporting characters in A Christmas Carol each serve crucial thematic and structural purposes. Understanding them — and how they contrast with or complement Scrooge — is essential for a strong GCSE essay.

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Bob Cratchit

Bob Cratchit is Scrooge's clerk and one of the novella's most sympathetic characters. He represents the honest, hardworking poor — decent people trapped by a system that exploits them.

Key characteristics

Trait	Evidence
Loyal	Despite Scrooge's cruelty, Bob never complains or quits
Loving father	"He hugged his daughter to his heart's content"
Underpaid	Earns fifteen shillings a week — barely enough to feed his family
Cheerful	Celebrates Christmas with joy despite poverty
Forgiving	Toasts Scrooge at Christmas dinner, even though Mrs Cratchit objects
Grief-stricken	"My little, little child! My little child!" — on Tiny Tim's death

Why Bob matters