The Same Christmas in Old England and New
The story revolves around a group of people who are transported back in time to the Christmas of 1620 and 1776, where they experience the festive season in old England and new. They witness the traditional English celebrations, including feasting, singing, and storytelling, as well as the more austere Puritan festivities in colonial America. Through their journey, the characters learn about the history and cultural heritage of Christmas celebrations in both countries.
By Edward Everett Hale · First published 1867 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Holiday, Cultural · 7,568 words
First lines
The first Christmas in New England was celebrated by some people who tried as hard as they could not to celebrate it at all. But looking back on that year 1620, the first year when Christmas was celebrated in New England, I cannot find that anybody got up a better _fete_ than did these Lincolnshire weavers and ploughmen who had got a little taste of Dutch firmness, and resolved on that particular day, that, whatever else happened to them, they would not celebrate Christmas at all.
Here is the story as William Bradford tells it:
What this Textopian page supports
The Same Christmas in Old England and New is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edward Everett Hale, dated 1867 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Edward Everett Hale
- Date: 1867 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Holiday, Cultural, Family, Short Stories
- Length: 7,568 words
- Structure: 1 section, 72 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Same Christmas in Old England and New by Edward Everett Hale
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Same Christmas in Old England and New?
- How does this short story by Edward Everett Hale fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- Christmas by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
- Christmas Day by Charles Kingsley
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Stephen Crane
- Christmas Waits In Boston From The Ingham Papers by Edward Everett Hale
- Characters A Christmas Dinner by Charles Dickens
- The Night Before Thanksgiving by Sarah Orne Jewett
Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book explores historical settings and events in both Old England and New England.
- Holiday — The central theme revolves around Christmas celebrations.
- Cultural — It delves into cultural differences and similarities between England and America.
- Family — Family traditions and interactions are a significant part of the narrative.
Tags
Christmas · England · New England · tradition · holiday · family · celebration · cultural comparison · nostalgia · community · festivity · winter