What was actually wrong with the character "Tiny Tim" in A Christmas Carol?

1. 81

   Jacqueline4390posted 9 years ago

   What was actually wrong with the character "Tiny Tim" in A Christmas Carol?
   
   In the movie version, Tiny Tim has a crutch and sometimes a chronic cough. He is a very sickly child on the verge of death. However, due to the change of heart and the generosity of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tim survives. So, what was wrong with him?
   
   

   replyreport
2. 66

   Daniel Bassiliosposted 9 years ago

   I've read the book a few times in school and I don't recall any explicit mention of the character's illness in any chapter. Tim is supposed to represent the Cratchet family's fortune and misfortune for they are typical  working class Victorian Londoners, a large family who's bond with each other is what Dickens wants to convey as their true wealth in life despite their financial hardship (mainly brought about by Scrooge's tightfisted nature). Tiny Tim maybe a financial burden (who would die if present circumstances stayed the same) but is adored by the whole family and thus considered a key source of joy and wealth in their lives.
   
   Having said all that.He closely corresponds to someone suffering from Rickets in the movie version. This is likely considering that it's fatal and usually it's victims are children.

   replyreport
   1. 81

      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the good information.

      replyreport
3. 94

   Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years ago

   I believe he had polio and Scrooge would pay for the medical help Tiny Tim needed. I am not positive about that and there has been much debate over the years about it, but, that is my opinion.

   replyreport
   1. 81

      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Was there a vaccine then?

      replyreport
   2. 94

      Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think so. It was not till after 1900 that Salk developed the first vaccine. I was thinking that there was some kind of treatment that would help children with polio back in the days of Dickinson.Daniel's answer may be more on track.

      replyreport
4. 0

   B J Hansenposted 9 years ago

   I was always under the impression the Tiny Tim suffered from polio.

   replyreport
   1. 81

      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I thought that myself myself but in some of the movies he has a bad cough.

      replyreport
   2. 0

      B J Hansenposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Symptoms of polio include sore/irritated throat and nausea. That could explain the cough in movie adaptations.

      replyreport
5. 81

   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   i don't know but i think he had polio since he used the crutch, for the cough i think he has TB

   replyreport
6. 0

   jfischerstoneposted 9 years ago

   I must agree with everyone else here. I think Tiny Tim was stricken with Polio.

   replyreport
   1. 81

      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That is what I had always thought from the beginning. So, there was a "cure" back then?

      replyreport
   2. 0

      jfischerstoneposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I actually looked this up on the internet because I was so curious. He had  renal tubular acidosis. A type of kidney disease.

      replyreport
7. 81

   Jacqueline4390posted 9 years ago

   According to Wikipedia: "Poliovirus is usually spread from person to person through infected feces entering the mouth.[1] It may also be spread by food or water containing human feces and less commonly from infected saliva.."
   
   How can this happen? This is incredible ... I never knew!!!

   replyreport