Christmas: A Fictional Narrative

In this paper I will discuss Social Theories such as Structural Functionalism, Conflict theory; with emphasis on Karl Marx’s early work and how it relates to the conflict theory and Symbolic interaction. I intend to define and discuss relevant sociological terms of these theories and how these theories could apply to my favorite holiday which is Christmas.

The Ghost of Christmas is most responsible for fixing Scrooge’s tattered personality.These were the words in my heart when I concluded reading A Christmas carol.The ghost of the Christmas present showed Scrooge that the salary that he thought was bountiful, was actually forcing the Cratchits to live in poverty.The Ghost of Christmas past also showed Scrooge that even in poor times Christmas can be celebrated.The Cratchits didn’t have an expensive meal, it was all they could afford.Despite how poor they were it was a great meal, not because of the price but because their happiness and satisfaction.It wasn’t about the money, because happiness can’t be bought.The Ghost informed Scrooge that if Tiny tim would die if he didn’t have further medications.As a result to Scrooge begged and pleaded to the Ghost to have mercy on the naïve boy.The ghost of christmas present warmed Scrooge’s heart on the right spot,because he knew that Scrooge was a good soul in a cold heart.

It is curious that as children, humans have the ability to observe and remember details of specific situations and instances yet lack the ability to describe them. Truman Capote, as a grown man, took advantage of his vivid memories and composed the short work, "A Christmas Memory." The story begins in late November, a month symbolic of all the years gone by that Capote could remember beginning preparations for Christmas fruitcakes.

Christmas is an international holiday that is beloved by many. I, however, see Christmas for what it really is. It isn’t some festive love fest that celebrates the birth of Jesus; Christmas is an allusion. Christmas has pulled the wool over the eyes of many by presenting the temptation of gifts, therefore making them oblivious to the true meaning behind the holiday. Christmas has betrayed its lineage, it has lost sight of its purpose, and it is denouncing the powerful meanings and messages for future generations to come. This holiday has been around for centuries and over the years it has become a façade and has found a way to hide what it truly stands for.

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom,” Marcel Proust said. This quote suggests how being grateful for the people that you feel close to, will make you feel happier. A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote takes place during the Great Depression in a small Southern town. A seven year old boy named Buddy, and his friend are hit by the Great Depression. They do not have very many possessions, only basic necessities. The holidays are right around the corner so Buddy and his friend decide to make fruit cakes for all of their friends, even though they do not have much. They end up not having much money to get each other something for Christmas. In the end, they both decide that having each other is enough, and that they’re both very grateful for one other. One lesson that is taught in the story, is that often, people tend to only be grateful for materialistic things. However, in this story they’re grateful for one another. Similarly, in the short story The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry expresses the same theme of gratefulness through the development of the character traits and character conflicts. Both stories show that being grateful for the people that you feel close to, will make you feel happier.

Christmas is the annual festival celebrating the birth of Jesus on the 25th December, at least that is what it began as initially. Since it has expanded into an international phenomenon for consumption, taking priority over our everyday practices of life (Michel De Certeau, 1980). Our time we spend divided between work and leisure in accordance to the codes and conventions of society shifts, Christmas derails these expectations. Yet surprisingly Christmas gains little attention in terms of social research, despite the fact that it can be explored diversely. The inquiry ‘What is Christmas?’ links to multiple aspects of social research. The aspects of Christmas can be subdivided into the following; religion, commercialism, gift-giving, social relationships, sensualism and mythology. This essay will analyse these fundamentals of Christmas through both psychological and sociological perspectives, as the theories among these two social sciences are best suited to the elements which make up Christmas itself.

In 2005, ten-year-old Belle Adams had her dreams crushed after learning the truth about Santa Claus. Her mother, Nicki Adams, admitted to lying about Santa Claus being real. Belle never felt so betrayed. She reacts by writing an offensive note and sliding the note under her mother’s door. The note read, “You have no idea what you just did. I really tried to believe. Everyone told me it’s your parents. I can’t believe you anymore. Is the Easter bunny real, how about the tooth fairy, huh? You just ruined a 10-year-old child’s Life! Thanks! Nothing will make me feel better because you lied to me about something I Loved that Broke my Heart!” As we all know, Santa Claus is the one of the most famous mythologies of all time. Every Christmas Eve,

Christmas day Mitchell Coggan Creative Writing Story It was a bitter cold night; the mud froze solid and our rifles were tinged white with frost. The Ceaseless fighting had left many soldiers dead and both sides were in dire need of food and ammunition. We wait patiently for reinforcements in our trenches, exhausted yet determined not to let us guards down. All that could be heard in the trenches for the past two months were the constant cracking and whining of machinegun fire and bullets in flight, and the desperate cries and moans of wounded soldiers.

Every year, since when I was a little girl I remember that around Christmas time my family and I would celebrate a Cooney Christmas. The Cooney Christmas is celebrating Christmas with my dad's side of the family. We would always go to my grandpa Cooney’s house to have supper and exchange gifts together. It was decided between the family that once you turned 18 years old you weren’t able to receive gifts anymore. Of course this rule excluded my grandpa and Betty from receiving gifts. Recently, a couple years back it became too hard for grandpa and Betty to prepare the all of the food and prepare for the whole family. Therefore, instead we rotate between my dad and his two sisters houses each year hosting the party. The party has still been the

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. I love seeing the shinny Christmas lights that decorates my street and the sound of fresh fallen snow on the ground. Christmas reminds me of family, the laughter and loved we shared, and the gifts we gave to each other. My house on Christmas became the center of my joy.

I think Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays. Maybe because of the special atmosphere that you can feel everywhere, in shops, restaurants , pubs and even streets, where you can hear the magical carols, or maybe it's because of its religious background, but what I can tell you for sure is that I can't think of anything more exciting than the image of the entire family preparing the Christmas Tree or fixing the Christmas dishes.

In my birth story, there is nothing really to it unless you count me just being born. I asked my mom, but, she said nothing really happened. But, one thing that she said was that she was craving some foods like burgers and red cream soda and some other stuff. But after months and months, I was delivered at Good Samaritan Hospital and weighed 7lbs 12.8oz. She always had a name in mind for me, and it was Jackson because she loved the name and it meant God has been Gracious.

Twas the night before Christmas, pale and yellow moonlight illuminated a house deep in the woods. Tall pine trees surrounded the house, like giants pointing at the inky black sky. Flurries of snowflakes swirled in a hurry around the house. The house stood alone and abandoned, adorned with Christmas lights, but not the ones you would see on any ordinary house. Some lights were fading, once bright and colorful but now a former shell of what they once been. Others burned out in a spark while the ones left were shattered. The front door was decorated with a rug that could be mistaken as an animal. The tree inside the house was not in the most pristine condition, either. The tree slumped in a dark corner. The top of the tree stretched out like bony fingers grasping at the air. The shiny, glinting ornaments that once fashioned the tree were now shattered. The wallpaper plastered to the wall was now peeling off, like it was rotting. The paint on anything on the house was now faded and chipping away. Stale air filled with dust occupied the house. The house was indeed creepy and not in the most pristine condition. Even more mysterious, the house would only ever appear on the night of Christmas Eve. Despite this, many local teenagers and explorers were drawn to the house. Anyone who was brave enough or dumb enough would enter and see the house in its deteriorated state. One Christmas Eve night many years ago, an explorer had stumbled across the house. He had been in the snow for what

We walk in and the atmosphere fills me with joy; I hear children yelling on roller coasters, the amazing aroma of greasy, fried pork rinds, seeing smiles everywhere, it just sets the mood of having a great day. My family and I are at the famous theme park, Silver Dollar City. We have had a lasting tradition of visiting, every Christmas holiday and enjoying the sights and sounds of this amazing place. Our first stop is the store, Christmas Hollow, where Christmas is everywhere. Bright lights are throughout the whole store, while the smell of cinnamon and peppermint fill the air. I walk very carefully; not wanting to break any of the very fragile glass all around me. Finally, my favorite item, the nutcrackers; even though I have a crowd of them at home, I always want another. I love the way they stand so tall and so straight, almost as if they were real.

It was the two days before Christmas. Santa was getting every excited for his trip and he was also getting very tired.