The Night's Cast
The narrator claims that not even this creature was stirring.
What is a mouse?
This reindeer’s name rhymes with "Blitzen" and "mizzen."
Who is Vixen?
St. Nick was dressed all in this material, from his head to his foot.
What is fur?
These were "hung by the chimney with care."
What are stockings?
"He spoke not a word, but went straight to his..."
What is work?
While the narrator wore his cap, Mamma was settled in this head covering.
What is a kerchief?
In the original 1823 text, the final two reindeer were called these Dutch-inspired names, not Donner and Blitzen.
Who are Dunder and Blixem?
His clothes were "all tarnished" with these two fireplace byproducts.
What are ashes and soot?
The narrator "flew like a flash" to this part of the room when he heard a clatter.
What is the window?
"Laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the..."
What is the chimney he rose?
These "danced in the heads" of the children as they slept.
What are sugar-plums?
When they meet an obstacle, the reindeer are compared to these flying away before a hurricane.
What are dry leaves?
His little round belly shook when he laughed like a bowl full of this.
What is jelly?
The moon on the breast of the "new-fallen snow" gave the luster of this time of day to objects below.
What is mid-day?
"But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—"
What is "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night"? What is a figgy pudding?
St. Nicholas is described as a "right jolly old" one of these mythical creatures.
What is an elf?
The reindeer are commanded to fly to the top of the porch and then to the top of this.
What is the wall?
This was "held tight in his teeth," with the smoke encircling his head like a wreath.
What is the stump of a pipe?
The narrator threw up the sash and tore open these.
What are the shutters?
"The prancing and pawing of each little..."
What is hoof?
Aside from St. Nick, this is the only specific "person" the narrator sees.
Who is Mamma?
The poet uses this word to describe the reindeer as they "flew like the down of a thistle."
What are coursers?
His dimples were merry and his cheeks were like roses, but his nose was compared to this fruit.
What is a cherry?
This is the specific type of vehicle St. Nick drives, described as "miniature."
What is a sleigh?
The narrator had just settled his brain for a long one of these.
What is a winter's nap?