Romantic kitchen
The very opening scene of the story appeals to the reader’s imagination with its depiction of cozy kitchen “of a spreading old house in a country town.” The kitchen seems lovely with its stove, fireplace and rocking chairs. Despite its poorness the kitchen is imbued with romantic atmosphere of upcoming Christmas.
A drunk recollection
The narrator returns in his memory to the time when he used to celebrate Christmas with his close relative who happened to be his best friend. He had a funny recollection when he and his friend had tried whisky that had been left after baking pies. “My dancing shadow rollicks on the walls; our voices rock the chinaware; we giggle: as if unseen hands were tickling us.” The imagery depicts joyful time for the boy, and this period of his life meant a lot for him.
Christmas forest
Another special remembrance of the narrator is the choosing of Christmas tree in the forest. He compares the forest with the ocean: “And, indeed, it is a kind of ocean. Scented acres of holiday trees, prickly-leafed holly. Red berries shiny as Chinese bells: black crows swoop upon them screaming.” The imagery of the forest adds specific atmosphere of tale and magic to the story in general.
