Scrooge's Friends and Family

Someone recently asked me if I had a favorite character in the Scrooge books, and I honestly don’t have one. I probably “know” Scrooge the best of any of the characters, but I’m well acquainted with them all, by now. I suppose I like each one for his or her special traits. For instance, I like the fact that Scrooge is very sincere, warm-hearted, generous, and still a bit bull-headed. He also carries a certain amount of guilt for his treatment of others in years past and is still dealing with a number of regrets.

Marley is special, and not just because he is . . . well . . . dead. The part of him that is alive is wise, independent, sometimes rude, and generally fairly patient where Scrooge is concerned. Oh, sometimes he loses patience and decides to let Scrooge “stew in his own juice,” but he never leaves Scrooge totally on his own.

Scrooge’s nephew Fred is a loyal sidekick and the son that Scrooge never had. They are close and are now business partners, as well as being partners in adventure. They do not always agree on things, but nothing could come between them.

Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit, is a wonderful support, both personally and professionally, and Scrooge relies on him for level-headed insights. In fact, Scrooge turns to Cratchit often, to unscramble things and come up with a plan of action.

Constable Rollo Norris (named after one of my grandfathers), and Cratchit’s assistant, Homer Probert (named after my other grandfather,) play their roles in each book, too. They are very dissimilar.

Then there is Caroline, Fred’s wife; Rebecca, Scrooge’s “particular” friend; Mrs. Sotherton, Rebecca’s mother; Priscilla, Dick Wilkins’ wife, and Honora Purdy, who has a terrible crush on Scrooge. Each woman has her own particular personality and I’m not sure I have a favorite among them.

There are many other characters who play large and small roles in Scrooge’s adventures. Some are not so nice, but others are enjoyable in their foibles and their talents. Hopefully they all work in concert to showcase the life of a reformed miser and the events that sometimes overtake him in early Victorian England.