Theme-
In the story, “When Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar”, the main theme is stating that it’s better to give than to receive. At the beginning when the men are getting their horse and are about to leave the Old Man’s house Dick Bullen asks, “can you make it? -- it’s nigh on fifty miles, the round trip hither and yon” (10). This implies the men are going somewhere for someone or something, however it doesn't state where. Later Dick is on his way back from Tuttleville, “But the brawling creek he had swam a few hours before had risen, more than doubled its volume, and now rolled a swift and resistless river between him and Rattlesnake Hill” (14). This concludes that Dick is going through all this trouble just to bring back something for someone. …show more content…
The first aspect reveals that this story takes place in a small valley outside of Sacramento, California. “It had been raining in the valley of the Sacramento” (1). If the story had not taken place in a small town Dick would most likely not have had to travel as far to get to the store. And more than likely the roads may have been in a better condition than they were in. The second aspect, “The North Fork had overflowed its banks and Rattlesnake Creek was impassable” (1) shows it is raining and many rivers are flooding. If it had not been raining throughout the story, it wouldn’t have been so difficult for Dick to get from place to place. He would not have had to face rivers flooding onto the streets. The last aspect, time, discloses it is December 4, 1862, night time and the season of winter. “... on the eve of Christmas day, 1862…” (1). If it had not been Christmas Eve, the time of giving, Dick may not have been in such a rush to get Johnny a present. He may have waited until the rain stopped and this may have changed the whole story. In conclusion the setting aspects majorly impact the reader. If the aspects did not reveal that it is raining on Christmas Eve night in a small town the story may not have appeared the same as it does