Christmas | Lecturia

F. Scott Fitzgerald: Pat Hobby’s Christmas Wish

Pat Hobby’s Christmas Wish is a short story by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, published in Esquire in January 1940. The story follows Pat Hobby, a mediocre and declining screenwriter, trapped in the Hollywood studio grind and forced to work on Christmas Eve. His bitter existence takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Helen Kagle, his new secretary, who, barely settled in, bursts into tears, leaving Pat bewildered. In trying to console her, Pat discovers that Helen is keeping a secret about a top studio executive and a letter that could change, perhaps forever, their fortunes.

Philip K. Dick: Foster, You’re Dead

Foster, You’re Dead is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick, published in Star Science Fiction Stories No. 3 in 1955. In a society obsessed with preparing for nuclear war, Mike Foster faces the stigma of being the son of an ‘anti-P’, someone who refuses to buy bomb shelters or contribute to the community defence system. While his peers make booby traps and knives at school, he lives with the constant humiliation and fear of not having a shelter to protect him. Social pressure and fear drive him to crave security in a world where paranoia has become a lucrative business.

Saki: Reginald’s Christmas Revel

In Reginald’s Christmas Revel, published in 1904, Saki introduces us to the witty and acerbic Reginald, who ironically recounts his misadventures during a Christmas spent with the Babwolds, a family as solemn as they are eccentric. Forced to attend due to a family commitment, the protagonist observes with sharp sarcasm the absurd rituals of the evening: a commander obsessed with his hunt, tedious social activities and a hostess whose earnestness borders on the grotesque. With his biting humour, Reginald transforms the monotony of the experience into a brilliant satire that questions social conventions and the emptiness of bourgeois life.

O. Henry: The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi is a short story by O. Henry, first published in The New York Sunday World on 10 December 1905. The narrative revolves around Delia and Jim, a young couple residing in a modest apartment. On Christmas Eve, with only a meagre sum of barely a dollar and eighty-seven cents to her name, Delia finds herself in a desperate situation, striving to procure a suitable gift for her husband. Driven by a profound sense of affection, she makes a decision that entails significant personal deprivation. The poignant and straightforward account illuminates the value of altruistic love and the sacrifices one is willing to make for those they hold most dear.

Arthur C. Clarke: The Star

The Star is a seminal work of science fiction, written by Arthur C. Clarke and first published in 1955. The narrative follows a Jesuit priest and astrophysicist who, during a space mission, discovers the remnants of a civilization that was annihilated by a cosmic catastrophe. This discovery profoundly challenges his faith, prompting him to question the beliefs he had previously accepted unquestioningly. Through this narrative, Clarke examines the tension between science and religion, raising questions about God’s role in the cosmos and human existence. Despite its brevity, the story is profoundly thought-provoking.

Truman Capote: A Christmas Memory

A Christmas Memory is a touching short story by Truman Capote published in Mademoiselle in December 1956. The story opens on a nostalgic November morning in a small-town kitchen, where a seven-year-old boy, Buddy, and his peculiar and loving distant cousin, an older woman with a childlike spirit, embark on the annual tradition of making fruit pies. Bound by an endearing friendship, the two pick pecans, plan the purchase of ingredients and share little adventures, including visits to eccentric places in town. As the story progresses, it evokes the warmth of Christmas traditions and the power of shared memories while subtly revealing the contrasts between childhood innocence and the difficulties of adult life.