A Christmas Guest by Selma Lagerlof
The story revolves around a young woman who returns to her childhood home for Christmas after many years away. She brings with her a mysterious and troubled past that she has kept hidden from her family and friends. As the holiday progresses, the woman's presence disrupts the tranquility of the household, causing tension among its members. Her secrets begin to surface, threatening to upend the family's carefully constructed facade. Through a series of flashbacks and introspective moments, the narrative slowly unravels the complexities of the protagonist's past, revealing a history marked by loss, regret, and longing. Ultimately, the story becomes a poignant exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, belonging, and the power of secrets to both unite and divide people.
By Selma Lagerlof · First published 1907 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Christmas Fiction, Drama · 3,312 words
First lines
One of those who had lived the life of a pensioner at Ekeby was little Ruster, who could transpose music and play the flute. He was of low origin and poor, without home and without relations. Hard times came to him when the company of pensioners were dispersed.
What this Textopian page supports
A Christmas Guest is listed on Textopian as a short story by Selma Lagerlof, dated 1907 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Selma Lagerlof
- Date: 1907 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Christmas Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary, Short Story
- Length: 3,312 words
- Structure: 1 section, 59 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Christmas Guest by Selma Lagerlof
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Christmas Guest?
- How does this short story by Selma Lagerlof fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- At Christmas Time by Anton Chekhov
- The Inscription On The Grave by Selma Lagerlof
- The Bruised Reed by O. Henry
- A Gentleman Of Bayou Teche by Kate Chopin
- Strawberries by Leo Tolstoy
- Old Mrs Chundle by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deep themes of redemption, human connection, and the complexities of life, typical of literary fiction.
- Christmas Fiction — The story is centered around Christmas, incorporating themes of hospitality, compassion, and the spirit of the holiday.
- Drama — The emotional struggles of the characters, particularly Ruster, create a dramatic tension throughout the narrative.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques societal attitudes towards addiction and the marginalized, reflecting on human kindness and community.
Tags
Fiction · Novella · Swedish Literature · Christmas Story · Realism · Symbolism · Mystery · Family Drama · Coming of Age · Social Commentary · Morality Tale · Psychological Insight