A Visit from St. Nicholas
Clement Clarke Moore
1779 to 1863
'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;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma 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 my 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 moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
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 dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler 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 on 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 laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and 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 filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang 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 sight—
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
Clement Clarke Moore's A Visit from St. Nicholas
Clement Clarke Moore’s A Visit from St. Nicholas (commonly known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas) is an iconic poem that has shaped modern conceptions of Christmas in Western culture. Written in 1823, this narrative poem blends rich imagery, rhythm, and folkloric storytelling to create a warm and enduring vision of St. Nicholas (the precursor to today’s Santa Claus). Its consistent anapestic meter and rhyme scheme evoke a singsong quality that captures the magical and childlike spirit of the holiday. This analysis explores the poem’s structure, imagery, and thematic elements, highlighting its influence and appeal.
Structure and Form
The poem employs an anapestic tetrameter, a meter characterized by two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable, which creates a galloping rhythm suitable for storytelling. This meter, coupled with its AA-BB rhyme scheme, gives the poem a musical and engaging quality. For example:
"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
This formal consistency supports the poem’s cheerful and fantastical tone, making it both easy to read aloud and memorable.
Imagery and Descriptive Language
Moore’s use of vivid and precise imagery brings the narrative to life, especially in his depiction of St. Nicholas and the wintry setting. Consider the opening lines, where the quiet anticipation of Christmas Eve is evoked:
"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there."
Here, the imagery of stockings and the quiet domestic scene conveys a sense of warmth and familial tradition. As the poem progresses, Moore masterfully transitions from this serene atmosphere to the magical arrival of St. Nicholas, using dynamic descriptions such as:
"The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below."
This line combines natural imagery with fantastical light, creating a dreamlike quality that heightens the sense of wonder.
The detailed portrayal of St. Nicholas himself is one of the poem’s highlights:
"His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!"
Moore’s use of similes and physical description (e.g., "cheeks like roses," "nose like a cherry") makes the character both vivid and approachable. The jolly, almost caricature-like figure embodies the joy and generosity associated with the holiday season.
Themes
Several themes emerge from the poem, each contributing to its enduring appeal:
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Magic and Wonder
The poem captures the enchantment of Christmas through its depiction of St. Nicholas and his sleigh. The narrator’s astonishment at the sight of the "miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer" reflects a childlike sense of awe. This theme of wonder is emphasized through the energetic and otherworldly imagery, as when the reindeer "flew like the down of a thistle." -
Generosity and Joy
St. Nicholas’s character epitomizes the spirit of giving. His silent yet purposeful actions—filling stockings and departing without fanfare—underscore the selflessness and joy that define the holiday. -
Domesticity and Tradition
The poem’s setting within a family home reinforces the importance of togetherness and tradition. The children’s dreams of "sugar-plums" and the parents’ snug repose evoke a comforting image of familial bonds, tying the magical elements of the poem to everyday life.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Moore’s poem was instrumental in shaping the modern image of Santa Claus. Drawing on folklore, particularly the Dutch figure of "Sinterklaas," Moore transformed St. Nicholas into a benevolent, rotund figure with a sleigh and reindeer. This characterization, coupled with the poem’s enduring popularity, helped standardize many Christmas traditions, including stockings and gift-giving. The depiction of St. Nicholas as a "jolly old elf" contrasts with earlier, more austere representations, making the figure accessible and endearing to children.
Conclusion
Clement Clarke Moore’s A Visit from St. Nicholas remains a cornerstone of Christmas literature, celebrated for its vivid imagery, rhythmic charm, and timeless themes. Through its accessible language and captivating storytelling, the poem invites readers into a magical world where wonder, generosity, and tradition converge. Its influence on popular culture, particularly the image of Santa Claus, underscores its lasting legacy as a touchstone of holiday cheer. Whether read aloud by the fire or revisited in quiet reflection, the poem continues to evoke the joy and spirit of Christmas for readers of all ages.