Christmas Stories: "Jest 'Fore Christmas" and "The Night Before Christmas"

Description of book

In 'Christmas Stories: "Jest 'Fore Christmas" and "The Night Before Christmas"', the reader is presented with a collection of yuletide narratives that resonate with the spirit of Victorian-era sentimentality and celebration. Eugene Field leverages his penchant for whimsical and pastoral verse to weave tales that capture the essence of Christmas through a child's eyes. The literary style of Field, marked by lyricism and an evocative use of language, complements the classic poem by Clement Clarke Moore, creating a rich tapestry of holiday lore. Field's stories abide in a literary context steeped in the oral tradition, aiming to kindle the fires of imagination and tradition in the hearts of its readers.

Eugene Field, known for his humorous and sentimental poetry and tales, was influenced by the domestic joys and the cultural celebrations of the times. His works reflect an innate understanding of childhood innocence and a profound appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. This collection is as much a testament to Field's mastery of evoking nostalgia as it is an homage to the Christmas season, tying into the broader Victorian cultural milieu that cherished the holiday as a pinnacle of family and communal harmony.

'The Night Before Christmas' is a beloved classic, and Field's 'Jest 'Fore Christmas' adds its own endearing charm, making this amalgamation indispensable for those who pine for the traditional essence of Christmas. Scholars and enthusiasts of American literature will find in these stories an artifact of cultural history—a kinship with the past that is both enlightening and heartwarming. The volume is recommended for readers seeking to immerse themselves in the quintessential Christmas experience, as it was once envisioned in the age of Eugene Field and Clement Clarke Moore.