The Errors of Santa Claus by Stephen Leacock

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The Errors of Santa Claus

-         Stephen Leacock

Stephen Leacock is a humourist, author and a short story writer. He is a Canadian author who is celebrated for his humour and delicate satire. The Errors of Santa Claus is a part of his collection titled “Frenzied Fiction” (1918). This story mocks at the modern world of fashion of gifting during Christmas. At recent times gifting has become fashionable. The season of Christmas has become the season of shopping. This short story depicts the misconceptions parent root in the mind of children.

The story revolves around two families, namely the Browns and the Jones. Both the families celebrate Christmas together by exchanging gifts. In the dinning room Jones and Browns discusses about the gift they have purchased for their children. Jones has bought an automatic train for his son. Brown claims that he will gift his son Edwin an aeroplane.

Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Jones are discussing about the gift they are going to present their daughters. Mrs. Jones desires to gift a beautiful doll to Clarisse, her daughter and Mr. Brown decides to gift her Ulvina.

The children relish in buying gift for their parents. They buy them expensive cigars, cigarettes and card sets. These children are presenting such gifts for their parents. The parents too encourage their children.

The characters in this story derive happiness by seeing the gifts they have purchased. The elder ones love the toys and dolls which they have bought for their kids and the kids relish with the cigars, cigarettes and card. These children indulge in smoking as well. The humour in this story is the misconceptions the character harbour at each other. 

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