A Visit from St. Nicholas
by Clement Clarke Moore
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and 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 reindeer,
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, Donner 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 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 the knowledge that I had nothing to dread.
He spoke no word, but went straight to his work,
Filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,
Laid his finger aside his nose, gave a nod,
And rose up the chimney with a swift nod.
He sprang to his sleigh and gave his team a whistle,
And away they all flew like the dew of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
Summary of A Visit from St. Nicholas
“A Visit from St. Nicholas,” often called “The Night Before Christmas,” is a beloved poem that beautifully captures the magic and anticipation of Christmas Eve. The poem follows a narrator who is awakened by a commotion on Christmas Eve, only to witness the arrival of St. Nicholas. Rather than a stern figure, he appears as a jolly, delightful elf who silently fills the stockings hung by the chimney. The poem emphasizes the wonder and joy of childhood and the warmth of family togetherness during the holiday season.
The central idea revolves around the enchanting visit of St. Nicholas and the creation of a magical Christmas experience. It is a poem about belief, imagination, and the enduring spirit of Christmas. The poem is not only about Santa Claus; it is about the feeling of wonder and joy that Christmas brings.
Notably, this poem significantly shaped the modern image of Santa Claus. Before Moore’s poem, St. Nicholas was often depicted as a solemn, religious figure. Moore transformed him into the plump, jolly, and gift‑giving character we recognize today. It was first published anonymously in 1823 and quickly gained popularity, becoming a cornerstone of Christmas traditions.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “A Visit from St. Nicholas”
Clement Clarke Moore masterfully employs a range of literary devices to bring “A Visit from St. Nicholas” to life, creating a vivid and enchanting experience for the reader. These devices not only enhance the poem’s aesthetic appeal but also contribute to its thematic richness.
Alliteration
Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, is used to create a musical effect and emphasize certain phrases. Notice the repetition of the “w” sound in “When what to my wondering eyes did appear” and the “c” sound in “On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!” This sonic device adds rhythm and memorability to the verses.
Simile
Similes, using “like” or “as,” create vivid imagery. A prime example is “That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.” Other examples include “Away to the window I flew like a flash” and “The smoke encircled his head like a wreath.” These comparisons allow the reader to visualize the scene more clearly.
Metaphor
Metaphor creates implied comparisons. When St. Nicholas is described as “a right jolly old elf,” Moore isn’t simply stating a fact; he’s creating a metaphorical image that encapsulates the character’s playful and magical essence. This lets the reader associate St. Nicholas with folklore and fantasy.
Assonance
Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, contributes to the poem’s musicality. Consider the repetition of the long “e” sound in “With a little old driver so lively and quick” or the “o” sound in “On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!” These vowel sounds create a flowing and harmonious effect.
Personification
Personification, giving human qualities to inanimate objects, is subtly used to enhance the magical atmosphere. The line “While visions of sugar‑plums danced in their heads” attributes the ability to dance to sugar‑plums, creating a whimsical and imaginative image.
Imagery
Moore’s poem is rich in imagery, appealing to the reader’s five senses. Lines like “The children were nestled all snug in their beds” and “The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth” create clear and evocative pictures in the reader’s mind. This use of imagery is crucial to establishing the cozy and magical setting of the poem.
Consonance
Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, contributes to the poem’s musicality and rhythm. The repetition of the “sh” sound in “Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!” adds a sense of energy and excitement to the lines.
Analysis of Poetic Devices in A Visit from St. Nicholas
Beyond literary devices, Moore skillfully employs several poetic devices to craft a captivating and memorable poem. These techniques contribute to the poem’s rhythm, rhyme, and overall aesthetic effect.
Couplet
The poem is primarily structured in couplets—pairs of rhyming lines. This consistent structure creates a sense of order and predictability, enhancing the poem’s musicality and flow. Each couplet acts as a mini‑narrative unit, moving the story forward.
Rhyme Scheme
The poem adheres to a strict AABB rhyme scheme throughout. This simple but effective rhyme scheme contributes to the poem’s lighthearted and playful tone. The consistent rhyming pattern makes the poem easy to read and remember.
Anapaestic Tetrameter
The poem is written in anapaestic tetrameter, meaning each line consists of four metrical feet, each containing two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable. A prime example is “’Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house.” This meter creates a galloping rhythm that mimics the sound of reindeer hooves, adding to the poem’s energy and excitement. The rhythm makes the poem feel lively and dynamic.
Notable Quotes
The following lines are particularly evocative and can be used to capture the poem’s enchanting atmosphere:
“The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave a lustre of midday to objects below.”
This quote paints a beautiful picture of a winter night and the magical glow of the moon. It’s a perfect example of Moore’s ability to create vivid imagery with just a few words.
“A Visit from St. Nicholas” remains a beloved poem not only for its charming narrative but also for its masterful use of language and poetic devices. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the imagination and celebrate the magic of the holiday season. Through careful analysis of the poem’s literary and poetic elements, we can fully appreciate the artistry and enduring appeal of this Christmas classic.