Characters and Events
Who is the poem's narrator?
A parent in the house who observes St. Nicholas.
What does the narrator first see when looking out the window?
A miniature sleigh with eight tiny reindeer.
What theme is reflected in St. Nicholas’s actions of filling stockings?
Generosity and giving.
What does “clatter” mean in the context of the poem?
A loud, rattling noise.
What might St. Nicholas do if he visited a house today?
Use modern technology like drones, or interact with children playing video games.
What wakes the narrator from sleep?
A clatter on the lawn.
What feature of St. Nicholas is described as "like a bowlful of jelly"?
His belly.
What theme is suggested by the children’s dreams of sugar-plums?
Imagination and wonder.
How does the phrase "like a bowlful of jelly" help visualize St. Nicholas?
It shows his belly shaking when he laughs.
If the story were told from a reindeer’s perspective, how might they describe the night?
As an exciting adventure bringing joy to the world.
How does St. Nicholas leave the house?
Up the chimney with a nod.
What does the simile "like the down of a thistle" describe?
The sleigh's light and swift departure.
What theme is captured by the hanging of stockings and quiet anticipation?
Anticipation and preparation.
What example of personification is used in the poem?
The moon giving "lustre" to objects below.
How might the poem end differently if the narrator saw St. Nicholas leaving?
The narrator might have shared a personal farewell or tried to follow him.
What are the children dreaming about as they sleep?
Sugar-plums dancing in their heads.
What does the moonlight do to the scene outside the house?
Gives the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
How does the poem celebrate family traditions?
Through the depiction of children, parents, and shared Christmas rituals like hanging stockings.
What does the simile “like a flash” describe?
The narrator quickly going to the window.
What is one additional stanza you might add to the poem?
Describing the morning when the children discover their gifts.
What does St. Nicholas do when he comes down the chimney?
Fills the stockings hung by the chimney.
What sound does the narrator hear on the roof?
How does the poem contrast peace and excitement?
By describing the quiet house and then the lively arrival of St. Nicholas.
How does the rhyme scheme affect the poem?
It gives the poem a lively and cheerful rhythm.
How does the poem’s timeless charm make it relevant today?
Its themes of joy, giving, and imagination resonate across generations.