Fred (A Christmas Carol)

Frederick "Fred" Holywell is the nephew of Ebenezer Scrooge and a major character in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. He is also Scrooge's only living relative.
==History==
Fred is also a gentleman of some means, but unlike his miserly uncle, he is a kind-hearted, generous, cheerful, and optimistic man who loves Christmas. Fred believes that there is good to be found in everyone, even his misanthropic uncle Scrooge, whom he invites to Christmas dinner every year despite constant rejection. Fred believes that the good in Scrooge can be brought to the surface.
In a poignant monologue Fred gives in the beginning of the story, he expounds that his love of Christmas stems from not just celebrating the birth of Jesus, but also from what a genuinely kind and happy time of year it is which can bring out the best in people.
Fred is the son of Scrooge's sister Fan/Fran, who died many years before the story begins. Scrooge, who loved his sister very much, has never accepted her death, and the sight of Fred unfailingly reminds him of the grief he still feels from her loss. This is one reason for Scrooge's antipathy towards his nephew; another is Fred's unceasingly cheerful attitude, which is anathema to Scrooge's cynical personality.
While with the Ghost of Christmas Present, Scrooge at one point observes Fred's Christmas dinner party, and sees what a genuinely fun and enjoyable time it is that he has missed out on for so many years by turning down Fred's invitations. Scrooge then overhears Fred explaining to his guests that he actually feels pity for his uncle, as the only thing that comes from Scrooge turning down Fred's invitations is his missing out on good food and good company which could bring him more happiness in life. As Fred puts it, "Who does he hurt by his mischief? Only himself."
Later, while with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Scrooge learns that Fred expressed his condolences to Bob Cratchit over the loss of Bob's son Tim, and gave Bob his card, offering to help the Cratchits in any way he could during their time of grieving. This helps show that even the saddest of times cannot extinguish Fred's kind, benevolent nature.
In the end of the story, a now- reformed Scrooge does indeed come to Fred's home for the Christmas dinner party. Fred is overjoyed to welcome his uncle in, they all have a wonderful time there, and it is implied that Scrooge will develop a much closer, friendlier bond with Fred for the rest of his days.
==Gallery==
Fred-StephenMackintosh.jpg|Fred in The Muppet Christmas Carol
Carol-disneyscreencaps com-848.jpg
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