| Timothy Cratchit | |
|---|---|
 Tim with his father, Robert | |
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Name: |
Timothy Cratchit |
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Family members: |
Robert (father), unnamed mother and sisters |
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Gender: |
Male |
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First appearance: |
A Christmas Carol 1843 |
Timothy Cratchit is the sickly son of Robert "Bob" Cratchit in A Christmas Carol.
About Him
Despite of his minor role, Tim played a serious part in the story when he’s introduced to Ebenezer Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge is told because on the way he treats Tim’s father, Robert, the family has to struggle to survive. Tim was very sick with an unknown illness but hinted that it could be cured if given enough funding. Scrooge was told he could be held responsible if he doesn’t change.
The next ghost, Christmas Yet to Come, Scrooge sees the Cratchit family again, but he learns that Tim has passed away. Seeing this and his own grave, Scrooge learns in order to prevent the future from being a disaster he must change his ways. Upon returning to the real world, Scrooge sees the Cratchit family and helps them.
His Illness
The name of Tim’s illness is never revealed but his hinted to be rickets, lack of Vitamin D, given the diet at the item, or renal tubular acidosis, a known disease of the kidneys that affects blood.