User:The 200th Doctor/sandbox

The Christmas Gift

The Christmas Gift is a short story written by Robert Penn Warren in the year 1937.

Summary

In the cold winter, a young boy is going into town to find Doctor Small for his older half-sister who is pregnant. Inside the tavern, after being given a bad time because his family are considered bastards by a few of the townsmen, Sill is finally pointed in the direction of the Doctor’s house. Before leaving, one of the men give him half a dozen or so candy sticks. After telling Doctor Small about why he was there to see him, the Doctor goes with him to the boy’s home. The story ends with the boy sharing a piece of candy with Doctor Small before they get to Sill’s home.

Characters

Main Characters:

The boy (Sill Lancaster) – The son of Milt Lancaster. He lives on the outskirts of town with his family who some of the people in town look down upon. Considered a bastard by some. Possibly a different mother then the rest of his siblings. He goes into town to get a doctor for his older half-sister who is pregnant. Gets candy sticks from a man who directs him to the doctor’s home. He gives a candy cane to the doctor for agreeing to come with him to his family’s home.

Doctor Small – The doctor of the town. Friendlier then others in the town. He goes with Sill back to the Lancaster’s home. Good chance that he has been to the Lancaster’s house before. He is given a piece of candy by the boy.

Other Characters:

Mr. Lancaster – The father of several ‘bastards’. Is possible that he’s not entirely faithful to his real wife and has had affairs with other women. He is possibly the father of Sill’s older half-sister’s child. He’s looked down upon by the people in town. He doesn’t think too highly of Mr. Porsum.

The Big Man (Bill Stover) – A townsman who is introduced first as ‘the man who was whistling’. He seems to know about the Lancaster family and how they have ‘bastards’. Thinks that it’s one of Sill’s younger sisters who is pregnant. He gives Sill the candy sticks. Possible that he doesn’t look down at the family as much as other townspeople.

The Bald Swarthy Man – His name is never spoken. He does not have too high of an opinion of the Lancaster family but seems quite familiar with their family. He also seems to do business with Sill. Thinks that Bill isn’t feeling well when Bill gives Sill the candy sticks.

Older sister – (Mentioned only) Came from her mother to the Lancaster’s family. Indicated that she’s Sill’s older half-sister. Is pregnant. Possibly by Mr. Lancaster since people believe that the baby will be another ‘bastard’. She isn’t actually seen since the story ends before the reader actually meets her.