Jest 'Fore Christmas by Eugene Field
The poem tells the story of a man who is reminiscing about his childhood Christmases. He recalls the joy and magic of the season, but also notes how it has lost its charm for him as he grew older. The poem explores the themes of nostalgia, growing up, and the loss of innocence.
By Eugene Field · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor · 672 words
Editions
First lines
Father calls me William, sister calls me Will, / Mother calls me Willie, but the fellers call me Bill! / Mighty glad I ain't a girl -- ruther be a boy, / Without them sashes, curls, an' things that's worn by Fauntleroy! / Love to chawnk green apples an' go swimmin' in the lake -- / Hate to take the castor-ile they give for bellyache! / 'Most all the time, the whole year round, there ain't no flies on me, / But jest 'fore Christmas I'm as good as I kin be!
What this Textopian page supports
Jest 'Fore Christmas is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Children's Literature, Humor, Seasonal Literature, Nostalgia
- Length: 672 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Jest 'Fore Christmas by Eugene Field
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhyme and rhythm typical of poetry.
- Children's Literature — The themes and perspective are centered around a child's experiences and thoughts, making it suitable for a young audience.
- Humor — The playful language and humorous observations about childhood and Christmas contribute to a comedic tone.
- Seasonal Literature — The poem specifically addresses the Christmas season and its associated behaviors and expectations.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Christmas · Short stories · American literature · 19th century · Fiction · Social commentary · Irony · Wit · Dark humor · Morality tales