'Account of a Visit From ST. Nicholas' by Major Henry Livingston Jr.
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'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,
And mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap--
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The boon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I new in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer, and Vixen,
"On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Dunder and Blixem;
"To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
"Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys--and St. Nicholas too:
And then in a twinkling, I heard on the root
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound:
He was dress'd in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys was flung on his back,
And he look'd like a peddler just opening his pack:
His eyes--how they twinkled! his dimples how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow.
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly
That shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly:
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laugh'd when I saw him in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye hand a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill'd all the stockings; and turn'd with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He spring to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew, like the down of a thistle:
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of site--
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Account of a Visit From ST. Nicholas: A Classic Poem Worth Celebrating
Are you a lover of classic poetry? Have you ever read the poem "Account of a Visit From ST. Nicholas"? If not, then you are missing out on one of the most intriguing literary pieces in history. The poem, also known as "The Night Before Christmas," was written by Major Henry Livingston Jr. and published anonymously in 1823. Since then, it has become a timeless classic that is still read and enjoyed by generations across the world.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices. We will analyze the poem's impact, and its contribution to the literary world. So buckle up, fellow poetry enthusiasts, and let's embark on a journey to discover the magic of "Account of a Visit From ST. Nicholas."
Structure and Form
Firstly, let us examine the poem's structure and form. "Account of a Visit From ST. Nicholas" is composed of eight stanzas, each with an AABB rhyme scheme. The poem uses anapestic meter, with two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable, which creates a lively and upbeat rhythm.
Through the poem's structure and form, Livingston Jr. captures the essence of the Christmas season's joy and excitement. The rhyming scheme and meter set a playful tone, invoking the anticipation and thrill that children feel as they await the arrival of Santa Claus.
Themes
The poem's themes revolve around Christmas, including the celebration of kindness, generosity, and the spirit of giving. The central theme of the poem is the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, as he spreads joy and happiness to children worldwide.
The poem's first stanza sets the mood and introduces the main character of the poem, Santa Claus. Livingston Jr. describes Santa Claus as "a right jolly old elf" who spreads joy and cheer as he travels the world on his sleigh, pulled by eight magical reindeer.
The poem's second stanza describes the arrival of Santa Claus, who lands on the rooftop of a house. He climbs down the chimney and fills the children's stockings with toys, candy, and other delightful surprises.
The third and fourth stanzas describe Santa Claus's physical appearance, with his red suit, white beard, and round belly. Livingston Jr. portrays Santa as a jolly, kind-hearted man who brings joy to children everywhere.
In the fifth and sixth stanzas, Livingston Jr. describes the excitement of children as they wake up to find their stockings filled with gifts. The children's joy and excitement are palpable, and the poem celebrates the spirit of generosity and kindness that Santa Claus embodies.
The final two stanzas describe Santa Claus's departure, as he flies away on his sleigh, shouting, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" Through the poem's themes, Livingston Jr. captures the essence of the Christmas season and reminds us of the importance of kindness, generosity, and the spirit of giving.
Literary Devices
Livingston Jr. employs various literary devices to create a vivid and engaging poem. One of the most prominent devices used is imagery. Through his words, Livingston Jr. paints a picture of Santa Claus and his magical journey, transporting readers to a world of wonder and imagination.
Another device used is repetition. The phrase "Twas the night before Christmas" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and familiarity. The repetition also emphasizes the importance of Christmas Eve as the night that Santa Claus arrives to bring joy and happiness to children.
Livingston Jr. also uses alliteration, with phrases such as "dasher and dancer" and "down the chimney with a bound." The use of alliteration creates a playful and musical quality to the poem, enhancing its overall rhythm and tone.
Impact and Legacy
"Account of a Visit From ST. Nicholas" has had a significant impact on American culture and the literary world. The poem played a vital role in shaping the modern American Santa Claus, with his red suit, white beard, and jolly demeanor.
Moreover, the poem's playful and imaginative tone has made it a beloved classic that is read and enjoyed by generations across the world. The poem has been adapted into various forms, including films, plays, and musicals, cementing its place in popular culture.
In conclusion, "Account of a Visit From ST. Nicholas" is a timeless classic that continues to capture the imagination of readers across the world. Livingston Jr.'s playful and imaginative tone, combined with his use of literary devices, has created a poem that celebrates the joy and wonder of the Christmas season. So, as we approach the holiday season, let us take a moment to appreciate this beloved classic and the legacy it has left behind. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
These are the opening lines of the classic poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” also known as “The Night Before Christmas.” Written by Major Henry Livingston Jr. in 1823, this poem has become a beloved Christmas tradition, recited by families around the world on Christmas Eve.
The poem tells the story of a visit from St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, on Christmas Eve. The narrator, who is not named, describes the scene in his home on Christmas Eve, with stockings hung by the chimney and the children nestled all snug in their beds. Suddenly, he hears a noise on the roof and goes to investigate. He sees St. Nicholas and his sleigh, pulled by eight reindeer, landing on the roof. St. Nicholas enters the house and fills the stockings with presents before disappearing into the night.
The poem is a delightful and whimsical tale, full of vivid imagery and playful language. It captures the magic and wonder of Christmas, and has become a beloved part of the holiday season for generations of families.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of vivid imagery. The narrator describes the scene in his home on Christmas Eve in great detail, painting a picture of a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and the children are nestled all snug in their beds. The scene is peaceful and quiet, with not a creature stirring, not even a mouse.
This imagery creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, as the reader imagines what it would be like to be in that cozy home on Christmas Eve. The reader can almost feel the warmth of the fire and the softness of the blankets as they imagine themselves nestled in bed, waiting for St. Nicholas to arrive.
The poem also uses playful language to create a sense of whimsy and fun. The names of the reindeer, for example, are a playful nod to the poem’s origins in Dutch folklore. The reindeer are named Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen, and they are described as “tiny” and “quick” as they pull St. Nicholas’s sleigh through the sky.
The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase “not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse” is repeated twice in the opening stanza, creating a sense of stillness and quiet. The repetition of the phrase “with a little old driver, so lively and quick” in the second stanza creates a sense of movement and energy, as St. Nicholas and his reindeer land on the roof.
The poem’s use of rhyme is also noteworthy. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme, with each stanza ending in a rhyme. This creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, making the poem easy to remember and recite. The rhyme scheme also adds to the playful and whimsical tone of the poem, making it a joy to read aloud.
Overall, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” is a delightful and charming poem that captures the magic and wonder of Christmas. Its vivid imagery, playful language, and use of repetition and rhyme make it a joy to read and recite. It has become a beloved part of the holiday season, and is sure to continue to be cherished by generations of families for years to come.
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