In "A Christmas Carol," explain how the theme of family is explored. Consider the importance of families.

The theme of family is seen in many ways throughout the story, including in both traditional families and non-traditional families.

• The Cratchit family is the most prominent one in the story. This consists of Bob Cratchit, his wife, and their six children. They are a very close family. Although they do not have very much, it is obvious throughout the story that they are the ideal family, in the sense that they enjoy each other, love each other, and support each other. They are also very kind people, something we see the parents modeling and the children following.


• Fred and his wife are Scrooge's only relatives and family. They live nearby and repeatedly try to get Scrooge to join them for Christmas dinner. Fred knows his uncle will turn him down, but he's determined to ask every year. This demonstrates again, a clear loyalty to family. Despite his uncle being intolerable, Fred extends an invitation to him to spend the holidays as a family. Fred and his wife appear to also be very happy and close to one another.


• Ebenezer and Fan are siblings and we get to see how close they were through the Ghost of Christmas past journey. This is one of the few relationships in Scrooge's life where he was loving and affectionate and when we find out that she died later, we also find out that Scrooge was very sad about her passing. This relationship demonstrates he is capable of close familial relationships, but for whatever reason he has turned his back on them as he has gotten older.


• Fezziwig and his employees share a very close relationship. We see this in the Ghost of Christmas Past journey as well. At the Christmas party that Fezziwig throws for his employees, he treats them like family. He is kind and caring, and treats everyone of equal value. This tells the reader that anyone can be treated like family - that we can make our own families - that family is a state of mind. So, even though Scrooge does not have many blood relatives still alive in the present, we see him add to his "family" by growing closer to the Cratchits.


• Finally, we know at the end of A Christmas Carol that Scrooge becomes like an adopted father to Tiny Tim. His relationship with the Cratchits changes entirely and he is an unofficial member of their family.