Fred – Scrooge's nephew, the son of his sister Fran. Fred is Scrooge’s only living relative and
also the only person who makes an effort to bring Scrooge out of his isolated world.
Key quotes:
Stave One
“A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!” – this shows Fred’s cheerful and festive
spirit. He clearly loves his uncle and does his best to connect with him
“his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled” – Fred is the very opposite of
his uncle, full of energy and optimism as a young man – perhaps what Scrooge was
once like?
“Christmas time… is the only time I know of when men and women seem to open their
shut-up hearts freely” – Fred recognises the beauty of the Christmas spirit and is not
afraid to challenge his uncle on his “humbug” attitude
Stave Three
“he’s a comical fellow and not so pleasant as he might be” – Fred recognises Scrooge’s
faults and understands why people dislike his uncle
“I am sorry for him; I couldn’t be angry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims?
Himself, always” – this shows Fred pities his uncle and defends him loyally despite his
wife and others criticising him
Stave Five
[as Scrooge nervously enters Fred’s Christmas party] “Let him in! It is a mercy he didn’t
shake his arm off.” – Dickens describes how delighted Fred was to see his uncle
Scrooge. He embraces Scrooge so warmly and is finally rewarded for his persistent
efforts in reaching out to Scrooge
“Wonderful party, wonderful games, wonderful unanimity, won-der-ful happiness!” –
Dickens’ use of repetition emphasises just how wonderful the party was. The noun
“unanimity” suggests how close they all felt.
