Literary Devices in Holidays on Ice ✍️

Introduction

“Holidays on Ice” by David Sedaris is a collection of hilarious and satirical essays that delve into the absurdity of the holiday season. Published in 1997, this book showcases Sedaris’s sharp wit and keen observation skills, making it a staple read during the festive period 🎄. The author, David Sedaris, is an American humorist and essayist known for his sardonic social commentary and autobiographical anecdotes. Sedaris’s work often revolves around his family life, his middle-class upbringing in the suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina, and his life experiences in France and the UK.

Contents

The genre of “Holidays on Ice” is primarily humor and satire, with elements of memoir, as Sedaris draws heavily from his own experiences to paint a quirky and often absurd picture of holiday traditions and festivities. Through his unique perspective, Sedaris turns ordinary holiday experiences into extraordinary tales filled with irony, sarcasm, and humor. Whether it’s detailing his stint as a Christmas elf at Macy’s or reflecting on the complexities of family gatherings, “Holidays on Ice” is a compilation that offers laughter, reflection, and, at times, a poignant critique of the holiday spirit.

Plot Summary

“Holidays on Ice” is more a collection of short stories than a novel with a continuous plot, so it diverges from the traditional narrative arc of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Instead, each story within the book stands on its own, showcasing different aspects of the holiday season. Here’s a brief overview of some main events in the book:

“SantaLand Diaries” — This is perhaps the most famous essay in the collection, where Sedaris recounts his experiences working as an elf named Crumpet at Macy’s SantaLand. The narrative humorously exposes the absurdities of holiday commercialism and the bizarre encounters between elves, Santa, and the visiting public.
“Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!” — Presented as a Christmas letter from the Dunbar family, this story satirically reveals the darker side of a seemingly perfect family as they deal with unexpected and disturbing events, including the arrival of a Vietnamese daughter from the patriarch’s war affair.
“Dinah, the Christmas Whore” — In this tale, Sedaris and his sister Lisa rescue a prostitute named Dinah, turning a routine Christmas Eve into an unexpectedly heartwarming adventure, shedding light on themes of family and redemption.
“Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol” — A scathing review of children’s Christmas plays, where Sedaris, through the character of Thaddeus Bristol, critiques the performances with merciless humor, highlighting the pretensions of small-town theatrical productions.
“Based on a True Story” — A mockery of the media and its tendency to sensationalize and exploit for the sake of entertainment, this story takes on the form of a derisive commentary on the true meaning of Christmas.
“Christmas Means Giving” — A satirical look at the competitive nature of holiday generosity, where two affluent families escalate their acts of charity to absurd levels, culminating in a hilariously grotesque conclusion.

Each story in “Holidays on Ice” serves as a standalone piece, with its own set of characters and plot, all united by the common theme of Christmas and the holiday season, showcasing the varied and often ironic aspects of this festive time.

Character Analysis

“Holidays on Ice” by David Sedaris is unique in that it does not have recurring characters throughout the book, given its structure as a collection of essays and stories. However, several memorable characters appear in individual tales, often serving as vehicles for satire, humor, and social commentary. Here are some of the standout characters from the collection:

Crumpet — In “SantaLand Diaries,” Crumpet is Sedaris’s elf alter ego, offering a cynical yet amusing perspective on the commercialization of Christmas and the absurdity of the SantaLand experience. Crumpet is sarcastic, observant, and somewhat jaded, yet his observations are sharp and filled with dark humor.
Jocelyn Dunbar — Featured in “Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!,” Jocelyn is the narrator of the family’s annual Christmas letter, which becomes increasingly unhinged as she tries to maintain the facade of suburban perfection amidst family chaos. Her character highlights the disconnect between outward appearances and internal realities.
Thaddeus Bristol — In “Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol,” he is a pompous and overly critical theater reviewer who lambasts elementary school Christmas plays with the severity of a professional critic. His over-the-top criticism serves as a satire of artistic pretension and the seriousness with which some take the trivial aspects of the holiday season.

Here’s a summary table of these characters:

Character	Personality	Motivation	Development
Crumpet	Sarcastic, observant, jaded	To navigate the chaos of SantaLand	Grows in his understanding of holiday absurdity
Jocelyn Dunbar	Pretentious, delusional, desperately optimistic	To maintain an image of familial perfection	Becomes increasingly frantic and unhinged
Thaddeus Bristol	Pompous, critical, contemptuous	To critique and expose the mediocrity he sees	Remains consistently critical and overbearing

These characters, through their distinct personalities and narratives, help Sedaris to critique various elements of society and holiday culture, from the commercialization and idealization to the pretensions and absurdities we often encounter during the festive season.

Themes and Symbols

“Holidays on Ice” by David Sedaris explores various themes and employs several symbols to enhance its narrative and messages. Here’s a deeper look into some of these elements:

Commercialization of Christmas — Many stories in the collection, especially “SantaLand Diaries,” highlight the commercial aspects of the holiday season. Sedaris uses the setting of Macy’s SantaLand and his role as an elf to satirize how commercialization strips away the genuine spirit of Christmas, turning it into a spectacle of consumerism.
Family Dynamics — In tales like “Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!,” the complexities and sometimes hidden darkness of family life are exposed. Sedaris uses the family Christmas letter as a symbol of the facade that families often maintain, juxtaposing cheerful holiday greetings with the troubling realities lurking beneath the surface.
Disillusionment and Cynicism — Characters like Crumpet in “SantaLand Diaries” embody a sense of disillusionment with the holiday season. This theme is reinforced by the often absurd and disillusioning experiences the characters undergo, highlighting the contrast between society’s idealized perception of holidays and the more jaded, if not humorous, reality.
Generosity and Greed — “Christmas Means Giving” serves as a satirical take on the concept of holiday generosity, turning it into a competitive and ultimately grotesque display of wealth and excess. This story criticizes the idea that generosity can sometimes stem from selfish desires to outdo others or gain recognition, rather than from genuine altruism.
Authenticity and Pretense — The collection frequently contrasts authentic emotions and experiences with pretentious or forced holiday cheer. This is symbolized through various characters and settings, such as the artificial joy of SantaLand or the exaggeratedly perfect family life depicted in Christmas newsletters.

By weaving these themes and symbols throughout his stories, David Sedaris offers a multifaceted critique of the holiday season, revealing the absurdities, contradictions, and unexpected moments of beauty and sincerity that can arise in the midst of the festive chaos.

Style and Tone

David Sedaris’s “Holidays on Ice” is characterized by a distinct writing style and tone that contribute significantly to the mood and atmosphere of the book. Here’s how these elements play out:

Sarcastic and Witty — Sedaris is renowned for his sharp wit and sarcasm, which shine throughout the collection. His humor often comes from the contrast between the idealized notion of the holiday season and the far less glamorous reality, highlighting the absurdity of certain traditions and behaviors.
Observational and Reflective — Many of the stories are driven by keen observations of people and situations. Sedaris’s attention to detail and his ability to reflect on the absurdities of everyday life lend a particular depth to his tales, making them relatable and thought-provoking.
Cynical and Critical — There is a cynical undertone in how Sedaris views the commercialization of Christmas and the forced merriment of holiday traditions. His criticism is not just for humor’s sake but also serves as a commentary on the broader societal and cultural practices.
Varied in Tone — While the overarching tone of the book is humorous and satirical, there are moments of sincerity and poignancy. Sedaris doesn’t shy away from touching on more serious or heartfelt themes, which adds layers to his narrative and prevents the satire from feeling one-dimensional.
Conversational and Accessible — The writing style is conversational, making it feel as though Sedaris is directly speaking to the reader. This accessibility makes the book engaging and easy to digest, even when delving into complex or dark topics.

The combination of these stylistic and tonal elements creates a unique reading experience that is both entertaining and enlightening, offering readers a multifaceted view of the holiday season through the lens of one of America’s most distinctive contemporary humorists.

Literary Devices Used in Holidays on Ice

David Sedaris employs a variety of literary devices in “Holidays on Ice” to enhance his storytelling and convey his themes effectively. Here are the top 10 devices used in the book, each contributing to its unique narrative style and tone:

Irony — Sedaris uses irony to highlight the contradictions between the idealized notions of the holiday season and the often less-than-ideal realities. For example, the joyful setting of SantaLand contrasts sharply with the cynical and jaded perspective of the elf narrator, Crumpet.
Satire — The entire collection serves as a satirical look at Christmas and its associated traditions. Sedaris critiques everything from family dynamics to consumer culture, using humor and exaggeration to expose the absurdity of societal norms.
Hyperbole — Exaggeration is used to comic effect throughout the stories, such as the extreme lengths families go to outdo each other in “Christmas Means Giving,” illustrating the absurdity of competitive generosity.
Imagery — Vivid descriptions bring scenes to life, such as the detailed portrayal of the chaotic environment in Macy’s SantaLand, enhancing the reader’s engagement and understanding of the setting.
Simile and Metaphor — Sedaris uses these devices to create relatable comparisons and deeper meanings, like comparing the frantic holiday shopping season to a battlefield, which conveys the intense and sometimes aggressive nature of the experience.
Allusion — References to popular culture and real-life events are peppered throughout the text, providing context and depth to the stories, and connecting them to wider cultural and social themes.
Parody — Elements of parody are evident in the way Sedaris mimics the style of traditional Christmas letters and holiday narratives, exaggerating their characteristics to highlight their often ridiculous nature.
Personification — Inanimate objects or abstract concepts are occasionally given human characteristics, such as Christmas decorations taking on a life of their own, to enhance the humor and surreal quality of the stories.
Anecdotal Narrative — The use of personal anecdotes makes the stories more relatable and engaging, as Sedaris often draws from his own life experiences to inform his tales.
Juxtaposition — Contrasting elements are placed side by side, such as the crass commercialism of the holidays against genuine moments of human connection, to highlight differences and provoke thought.

These literary devices are integral to the charm and effectiveness of “Holidays on Ice,” allowing Sedaris to craft a narrative that is both entertaining and reflective of deeper truths about the holiday season and human nature.

Literary Devices Examples

Let’s explore examples and explanations for each of the top 10 literary devices used in “Holidays on Ice” by David Sedaris.

Irony

Example: Crumpet’s job as a Christmas elf is meant to spread joy, yet he experiences and observes the misery and absurdity of commercial Christmas.
Explanation: This situation is ironic because the joyful role of an elf contrasts starkly with the cynical and often depressing realities of working in a commercialized Christmas setting.
Example: Families compete in exaggerated generosity in “Christmas Means Giving,” only to outdo each other.
Explanation: The irony here lies in the notion that acts of ‘generosity’ are driven by selfishness and competition, undermining the true spirit of giving.

Satire

Example: The over-the-top Christmas letter in “Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!” satirizes the tradition of sending overly positive and often misleading annual summaries.
Explanation: Sedaris uses this letter to mock the pretentiousness and denial often found in such family updates, highlighting the absurd lengths to which people go to present a perfect image.
Example: The critique of elementary school Christmas plays in “Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol” lampoons the seriousness with which such minor productions are sometimes taken.
Explanation: This mocks the grandiose self-importance of small-scale performances, exaggerating their significance to reveal the ridiculousness of taking them too seriously.

Hyperbole

Example: In “SantaLand Diaries,” the elf training and the stringent requirements for elf behavior are described in an exaggerated manner.
Explanation: The extreme depiction of elf duties and the surreal environment of SantaLand amplify the ridiculousness of the commercial holiday setting.
Example: “Christmas Means Giving” describes a family giving away increasingly absurd and grandiose gifts, like organs and children.
Explanation: This exaggerated competition in generosity serves to criticize the excessive materialism and one-upmanship prevalent in holiday gift-giving.

Imagery

Example: Descriptions of the gaudy, overly decorated SantaLand environment with its chaotic mix of children, parents, and disgruntled elves.
Explanation: Such vivid imagery helps the reader visualize and feel the overwhelming and artificial atmosphere of the commercial holiday scene.
Example: The portrayal of the Dunbar family’s home in “Season’s Greetings” vividly illustrates the clash between their outward perfection and inner turmoil.
Explanation: The detailed depiction of the setting underscores the dissonance between appearance and reality, enhancing the satirical tone.

Simile and Metaphor

Example: Comparing the frantic shoppers to “soldiers on a battlefield,” struggling for the perfect Christmas gift.
Explanation: This simile conveys the intensity and absurdity of holiday shopping, likening it to a life-or-death conflict.
Example: Describing the corporate Christmas culture in metaphorical terms, like “the commercialization of Christmas is the engine that drives the sleigh.”
Explanation: This metaphor critiques the way commercial interests dominate and propel holiday traditions, emphasizing the commodification of the season.

Allusion

Example: References to cultural icons or events, such as mentioning specific pop culture Christmas songs or movies, to anchor the stories in a recognizable context.
Explanation: These allusions help place the narrative within a broader cultural and temporal framework, making the satire more pointed and relevant.
Example: Alluding to historical or literary figures in the context of Christmas narratives to contrast with the mundane or absurd situations depicted.
Explanation: Such references enrich the text, adding layers of meaning and humor through the contrast between the elevated and the everyday.

Parody

Example: The exaggerated Christmas newsletter in “Season’s Greetings” parodies the genre of family holiday letters.
Explanation: This parody exposes the absurdity and often dishonest nature of such letters, critiquing the façade of perfection they usually try to convey.
Example: “Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol” parodies professional theatre criticism applied to elementary school plays.
Explanation: By applying highbrow criticism to a low-stakes setting, Sedaris parodies the seriousness with which such minor artistic endeavors are often treated.

Personification

Example: Christmas decorations in the stories are sometimes described as if they have their own desires and emotions, like a wreath that seems to welcome or judge the visitors.
Explanation: This personification of holiday decorations humorously highlights the importance placed on material symbols of the holiday, attributing them with undue significance and agency.
Example: The personification of Christmas itself in some stories, as if the holiday could enforce its own spirit or demands upon people.
Explanation: By giving Christmas human-like qualities, Sedaris comments on how the holiday can dominate people’s lives and behaviors during the season.

Anecdotal Narrative

Example: Sedaris’s recounting of his personal experiences as an elf in “SantaLand Diaries.”
Explanation: The anecdotal style makes the story more engaging and relatable, as readers are drawn into the personal and often humorous experiences of the narrator.
Example: Sharing family stories, like in “Dinah, the Christmas Whore,” gives a personal touch to the broader commentary on holiday themes.
Explanation: These anecdotes serve to ground the satirical and often cynical observations in real-life experiences, enhancing their impact and relatability.

Juxtaposition

Example: Placing the crass commercialism of SantaLand next to the genuine joy of some children meeting Santa.
Explanation: This juxtaposition highlights the disparity between the commercialized aspects of Christmas and the sincere happiness it can bring, underlining the complex nature of the holiday season.
Example: The stark contrast between the public image of the Dunbar family in “Season’s Greetings” and their private calamities.
Explanation: Juxtaposing these elements serves to critique the superficiality and often hidden dysfunction in seemingly perfect family lives.

These examples demonstrate how David Sedaris skillfully uses literary devices to craft engaging, humorous, and thought-provoking stories in “Holidays on Ice,” providing readers with a multifaceted and satirical view of the holiday season.

Holidays on Ice – FAQs

Q: What is the main theme of “Holidays on Ice”? A: The main theme of “Holidays on Ice” is the critique of the commercialization and absurdity of the holiday season, focusing on the discrepancies between the idealized notions of Christmas and the often more complex and chaotic realities.

Q: Who is the author of “Holidays on Ice”? A: “Holidays on Ice” is authored by David Sedaris, an American humorist and essayist known for his sharp wit and incisive social critiques.

Q: Can “Holidays on Ice” be considered a traditional novel? A: No, “Holidays on Ice” is not a traditional novel; it is a collection of essays and short stories, each with its own characters and plot, centered around the theme of Christmas and the holiday season.

Q: What kind of writing style does David Sedaris employ in “Holidays on Ice”? A: David Sedaris employs a writing style that is sarcastic, witty, and often cynical, with a conversational and accessible tone. His style is characterized by keen observations, sharp humor, and a penchant for highlighting the absurdities of everyday life.

Q: Are there any recurring characters in “Holidays on Ice”? A: There are no recurring characters throughout “Holidays on Ice” since it is a collection of distinct stories. However, some character types, like the jaded worker or the overbearing family member, recur thematically.

Q: What is the setting for the stories in “Holidays on Ice”? A: The settings vary among the stories in “Holidays on Ice,” ranging from the SantaLand at Macy’s department store to suburban family homes, reflecting the diverse aspects of the holiday season in America.

Q: How does “Holidays on Ice” reflect David Sedaris’s own experiences? A: Many of the stories in “Holidays on Ice,” especially “SantaLand Diaries,” are based on Sedaris’s own experiences and observations, particularly his time working as a Christmas elf in Macy’s, reflecting his personal encounters with the absurdity and commercialization of the holiday season.

Quiz

Question	Options	Correct Answer
What job does David Sedaris describe having in ‘SantaLand Diaries’?	A. Christmas tree salesman B. Santa Claus C. Christmas elf D. Gift wrapper	C. Christmas elf
Which story in ‘Holidays on Ice’ features a family’s increasingly absurd Christmas letter?	A. ‘Dinah, the Christmas Whore’ B. ‘Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!’ C. ‘Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol’ D. ‘SantaLand Diaries’	B. ‘Season’s Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!’
What is a major theme in ‘Holidays on Ice’?	A. The importance of family B. The commercialization of Christmas C. The joy of gift-giving D. The history of Christmas traditions	B. The commercialization of Christmas
In which story does Sedaris critique children’s Christmas plays?	A. ‘Based on a True Story'< B. ‘Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol’ C. ‘Christmas Means Giving’ D. ‘SantaLand Diaries’	B. ‘Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol’
What literary device is heavily used in ‘Holidays on Ice’ to create humor and critique societal norms?	A. Irony B. Personification C. Onomatopoeia D. Alliteration	A. Irony

Exercise

Spot the Literary Devices Used in the Following Paragraph from ‘Holidays on Ice’:

“Under the twinkling lights of a department store’s holiday display, a man dressed as Santa argues passionately with an elf over the true meaning of Christmas. The scene, ridiculous yet oddly poignant, seemed to encapsulate the bizarre contradictions of the season: commercial excess wrestling with festive spirit, and genuine joy mingling with feigned cheer.”

Answers:

Imagery – The description of “twinkling lights of a department store’s holiday display” evokes a vivid visual scene.
Personification – The “department store’s holiday display” is given life-like quality, setting a vivid scene.
Irony – The argument between Santa and an elf about the true meaning of Christmas in a commercial setting highlights the ironic contrast between commercialism and the holiday’s intended spirit.
Juxtaposition – The “bizarre contradictions of the season” are showcased by placing commercial excess and festive spirit, along with genuine joy and feigned cheer, side by side.
Simile/Metaphor (implied) – The argument and the setting serve as a metaphor for the larger societal contradictions surrounding Christmas, with “wrestling” suggesting a struggle or conflict between opposing forces.