Poe and the 12 Days of Christmas

Welcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 301 - Poe and the 12 days of Christmas.  For the past several years in Celebrate Poe, I have talked about the 12 days of Christmas.  I know I have talked about the period before in general but never actually talked  about each specific day during the period and the significance of each religious holiday.

While there is no direct evidence that Edgar Allan Poe personally celebrated the 12 Days of Christmas in a detailed or unique way, we can infer some aspects based on his background and the traditions of his time.

Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Poe.

Transcript

Welcome to Celebrate Poe - Episode 301 - Poe and the 12 days of Christmas.  For the past several years in Celebrate Poe, I have talked about the 12 days of Christmas.  I know I have talked about the period before in general but never actually talked  about each specific day during the period and the significance of each religious holiday.

While there is no direct evidence that Edgar Allan Poe personally celebrated the 12 Days of Christmas in a detailed or unique way, we can infer some aspects based on his background and the traditions of his time.

The 12 Days of Christmas, which span from December 25 (Christmas Day) to January 5 (the eve of the Epiphany), are marked by various celebrations and feast days, particularly in Christian traditions. The 12 days of Christmas were celebrated by Roman Catholic and Anglican/Episcopal Churches.  Here is as good a place as any to discuss what is generally believed as the major churches that Edgar Poe attended.

Edgar Allan Poe attended several churches and had interactions with various religious communities during his life. Here are some notable instances:

As a child, Poe was baptized into the Episcopal Church in 1812 by the Allan family, who were his foster parents. He attended services at Monumental Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, sitting in the Allan family's pew as a child.

We have records that in New York City on Christmas Eve 1847, Poe attended a midnight service at a Protestant Episcopal church located at the corner of Sixth and Twentieth Streets in New York City. The service was conducted by Reverend William Augustus Muhlenberg, and Poe was accompanied by Marie Louise Shew and possibly Frances Osgood.

During his time in the Bronx near the end of his life, Poe frequently visited St. John's College (now Fordham University), a Jesuit institution. He found comfort and intellectual companionship among the Jesuits, often walking on the campus and engaging in social activities such as playing cards and dining with them.  The Jesuits especially admired Poe’s mind, and it is said that they gave him free access to the library. Although he did not convert to Catholicism, he developed a close friendship with the Jesuit priests.   And it certainly stands to reason that Edgar Poe would have been exposed to the the celebration of the 12 days of Christmas at Monumental Episcopal Church in Richmond or at the Protestant Episcopal Church in New York or now Fordham University.

Poe attended Memorial Episcopal Church while he lived in Richmond, but there is no evidence Poe ever converted to Catholicism. Even so his interactions with the Jesuits exposed him to Catholic traditions and theology. He learned about Catholic practices, such as the Angelus prayer, and incorporated elements of Catholic theology into some of his works. For example, his poem "Hymn" reflects his understanding of Catholic devotional practices, particularly the concept of seeking Jesus through Mary's intercession.  Note his brief poem “Hymn” - 

 AT morn—at noon—at twilight dim—
     Maria! thou hast heard my hymn!
     In joy and wo—in good and ill—
     Mother of God, be with me still!
     When the Hours flew brightly by
     And not a cloud obscured the sky,
     My soul, lest it should truant be,
     Thy grace did guide to thine and thee;
     Now, when storms of Fate o’ercast
     Darkly my Present and my Past,
     Let my Future radiant shine
     With sweet hopes of thee and thine!

So I think it is a reasonable assumption that Edgar Poe - whether it was through the Anglican/Episcopal Church or Roman Catholic Church was exposed to the 12 days of Christmas in some way.

Poe experienced Christmas in various ways, influenced by his English and American upbringing. His mother, Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe, would have known English Christmas traditions, and he spent time in England with his foster family, the Allans, from 1815 to 1820, where he would have seen English Christmases firsthand. And as an adult, Poe often worked on Christmas Day, as evidenced by business letters dated December 25. He also contributed to various gift books published around Christmas, such as The Gift: A Christmas and New Year’s Present and The Baltimore Book: A Christmas and New Year’s Present.

Now I grew up in the Presbyterian Church, and later joined the Episcopal Church.  Around Christmas, there were some days that were foreign to me - and doing this podcast episode I ran across some dates that the church celebrates which were totally new to me.  So I’d like to go over a breakdown of the most important days of the 12 days of Christmas, and the saints or events associated with them:

December 25 - Christmas Day
The first day of Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. - Everybody knows that one.

December 26 - Feast of St. Stephen
The second day of Christmas, commemorating St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. This day is also known for the Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas"

December 27 - Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist
The third day of Christmas, honoring St. John, one of Jesus' twelve apostles and the author of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation

December 28 - Feast of the Holy Innocents (Childermas)
The fourth day of Christmas, remembering the children killed by King Herod in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus

December 29 - Feast of St. Thomas Becket (in some traditions)
The fifth day of Christmas, though not universally observed, some traditions mark this day for St. Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was martyred in 1170.

On December 30, the Feast of the Holy Family is celebrated in many Christian traditions. This feast honors Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the Holy Family and reflects on the significance of family life in the Christian faith. It emphasizes the importance of familial relationships and the values of love, respect, and faith within a family unit. The Holy Family is often seen as a model for all families, encouraging believers to emulate their virtues and unity in faith.

And I do feel the Feast of the Holy Family definitely deserves a bit more attention.  The Feast of the Holy Family some holds significant importance in the Christian calendar, particularly within Catholic and other Christian traditions. The feast honors Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as the Holy Family, presenting them as the ultimate model for all Christian families. This family is seen as holy because they placed God at the center of their lives, loved and sacrificed for one another, and radiated this love in their redemptive mission. Joseph, as the head of the family, provided for Mary and Jesus through his work and was obedient to God's will. Mary managed the home and taught Jesus the Scriptures and prayers of their people. Jesus grew in wisdom and understanding under their care, demonstrating the importance of family in spiritual growth.

The feast especially emphasizes Joseph, Mary, and Jesus as a model for all Christian families. It highlights the virtues of humility, love, respect, cooperation, and sacrifice that characterized their life together. Families are encouraged to emulate these virtues and make God the central figure in their family life.

This feast is a time for families to reflect on their own family life, evaluating how well they are living up to the model set by the Holy Family. It encourages families to promote the values of love, mutual respect, and spiritual growth within their own homes and communities.

The Holy Family is seen as a "domestic church," where the divine plan to make the family an intimate community of life and love is realized. This feast reminds believers that every Christian family is called to be a small "domestic church" that shines with Gospel virtues such as recollection, prayer, mutual understanding, and a spirit of sacrifice.

In summary, the Feast of the Holy Family on December 30 is a celebration that honors the exemplary life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, serving as a powerful model for Christian families to emulate in their own lives.

December 31 - New Year's Eve -The seventh day of Christmas. Traditionally, this was a day for games and sports, especially for the poor who had limited time off during the year

January 1 - New Year's Day and Feast of the Circumcision
The eighth day of Christmas. In some Christian traditions, this day is also the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus. It was traditionally a day for giving gifts, especially among the upper and middle classes

January 2-4 - Various Observances
These days may include other feast days or observances depending on the denomination and local traditions. For example, January 2 is sometimes observed as the Feast of St. Basil in Eastern Orthodox traditions.

January 5 - Twelfth Night (Epiphany Eve)
The twelfth and final day of Christmas, marking the eve of the Epiphany. This day is celebrated with feasts, games, and plays, and it signals the end of the Christmas season. The next day, January 6, is the Epiphany, which commemorates the visit of the Magi to Jesus.

Now let me take a little detour here - some of you might wonder if or what connection does Twelfth Night have with the title of Shakepseare's play Twelfth Night.

Well, the title "Twelfth Night" in Shakespeare's play has several significant connections to the historical and cultural context of the time:
"Twelfth Night" refers to the night before January 6, which is the twelfth day after Christmas Day. This period is part of the 12 days of Christmas, culminating in the Feast of the Epiphany, a holiday that commemorates the visit of the Magi to Jesus.

During Shakespeare's era, Twelfth Night was a time of festive celebrations, marked by feasting, dancing, and merriment. It was a period when social norms were often inverted, with young boys being chosen as "Lords of Misrule" to play king for a day. This spirit of revelry and the inversion of social rules is reflected in the play's themes of illusion, deception, and chaos. There is a theory, though not universally accepted, that the play was first performed on Twelfth Night in 1601 for Queen Elizabeth I. This association with the festive occasion likely influenced the choice of title.

The play's alternative title, "or What You Will," is thought to capture the spirit of the Twelfth Night celebrations, where anything goes and social boundaries are crossed. It may also be seen as an invitation to the audience to interpret the play in their own way, reflecting the playful and flexible nature of the festivities

In summary, the title "Twelfth Night" connects the play to the festive, chaotic, and socially inverted atmosphere of the Twelfth Night celebrations, which were an integral part of Elizabethan culture and tradition.

There are several insights into how Poe observed the Christmas season during his lifetime. He experienced Christmas in various ways, influenced by his English and American upbringing. His mother, Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe, would have known English Christmas traditions, and he spent time in England with his foster family, the Allans, from 1815 to 1820, where he would have seen English Christmases firsthand. During this time, the Allans would have celebrated Christmas in the English manner, which included natural greenery decorating their rooms and festive feasts with friends and family. 

The Allans often spent Christmas with other families. For instance, in 1820, they spent Christmas with the Ellis family at their home in Richmond.
These details suggest that Poe's family celebrations were a blend of English and American traditions, marked by simplicity, family gatherings, and church attendance.

Edgar Allan Poe's time in England, from 1815 to 1820, significantly influenced his exposure to and understanding of Christmas celebrations. Here are some key points on how his time in England shaped his Christmas experiences:

It is important to remember that during his five years with the Allans in 
England, Poe was immersed in English Christmas traditions. Naturally, his birth mother, Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe, would have already been familiar with these customs, but living in England allowed Poe to experience them firsthand. English Christmases were known for their festive atmosphere, which included decorating homes with natural greenery like holly and ivy, and engaging in social gatherings and feasts - periods of decorations and festivities that would be a natural part of the 12 days of Christmas.

Poe attended the Manor House School in England, where he would have participated in the school's Christmas vacation. For instance, in 1818, he was on Christmas vacation from December 25 to January 25, indicating that Christmas was a time for extended breaks and celebrations.  Imagine having a Christmas break of 4 weeks!

Although Poe left England before the full impact of Queen Victoria's reign (which began in 1837), the seeds of Victorian Christmas traditions were already being sown during his time there. The German Christmas traditions, such as decorating evergreen trees, were known among the English aristocracy even in the early 1800s. However, it was during the Victorian era that these traditions became more widespread, and Poe would have been aware of the early stirrings of these customs.

Poe's experiences in England also included family gatherings and social events during Christmas. Upon returning to Richmond in 1820, the Allans continued this tradition by spending Christmas with the Ellis family, reflecting the social and familial aspects of Christmas celebrations that Poe had learned in England.  (Remember Mr. Ellis was John Allan’s business partner.)

As an adult, Poe's Christmas celebrations were influenced by his early experiences in England. He continued to observe the holiday, albeit often in a more subdued manner, such as attending church services and contributing to Christmas gift books. 

In summary, Poe's time in England exposed him to traditional English Christmas customs, which included social gatherings, festive decorations, and extended school vacations. These experiences shaped his understanding and celebration of Christmas throughout his life.

Let me emphasize that Edgar Poe, having spent his early years in England with his foster family, the Allans, was extremely influenced by English Christmas traditions. 

Upon returning to Richmond in 1820, the Allans continued the tradition of spending Christmas with friends and family. This practice reflected the social and familial aspects of English Christmas celebrations that Poe had learned during his time in England. Although Poe himself did not actively promote English Christmas traditions, his experiences and writings reflect the broader cultural shift in America during the 19th century. The works of other authors, such as Washington Irving and Charles Dickens, played a significant role in popularizing English Christmas traditions in America. For example, Irving's "Bracebridge Hall" and Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" helped expose Americans to English Christmas customs.

One of the most macabre works that Poe ever created - and for Poe that is saying a lot - are the stories that he wrote for an annual publication known as The Gift. In fact, he contributed several works to the annual publication known as "The Gift: A Christmas and New Year's Present," which was a type of gift book or literary annual popular in the 19th century. Some of his notable contributions include:

"The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion” - published in "The Gift: A Christmas and New Year's Present for 1840".
“Eleonora"

Poe also wrote the short story "Eleonora" - a tale that was included in "The Gift for 1842.” Listen to the brief section that follows and see if Eleonora fits your idea of a Christmas story.

I AM come of a race noted for vigor of fancy and ardor of passion. Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence -- whether much that is glorious- whether all that is profound -- does not spring from disease of thought -- from moods of mind exalted at the expense of the general intellect. They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. In their gray visions they obtain glimpses of eternity, and thrill, in awakening, to find that they have been upon the verge of the great secret. In snatches, they learn something of the wisdom which is of good, and more of the mere knowledge which is of evil.

We will say, then, that I am mad. I grant, at least, that there are two distinct conditions of my mental existence -- the condition of a lucid reason, not to be disputed, and belonging to the memory of events forming the first epoch of my life -- and a condition of shadow and doubt, appertaining to the present, and to the recollection of what constitutes the second great era of my being. Therefore, what I shall tell of the earlier period, believe; and to what I may relate of the later time, give only such credit as may seem due, or doubt it altogether, or, if doubt it ye cannot, then play unto its riddle. 

In 1843, Poe wrote another story that was published in The Gift - The Pit and the Pendulum - not your everyday idea of a joyous Christmas story.

At first the ravenous animals were startled and terrified at the change -- at the cessation of movement. They shrank alarmedly back; many sought the well. But this was only for a moment. I had not counted in vain upon their voracity. Observing that I remained without motion, one or two of the boldest leaped upon the frame-work, and smelt at the surcingle. This seemed the signal for a general rush. Forth from the well they hurried in fresh troops. They clung to the wood -- they overran it, and leaped in hundreds upon my person. The measured movement of the pendulum disturbed them not at all. Avoiding its strokes they busied themselves with the anointed bandage. They pressed -- they swarmed upon me in ever accumulating heaps. They writhed upon my throat; their cold lips sought my own; I was half stifled by their thronging pressure; disgust, for which the world has no name, swelled my bosom, and chilled, with a heavy clamminess, my heart. Yet one minute, and I felt that the struggle would be over. Plainly I perceived the loosening of the bandage. I knew that in more than one place it must be already severed. With a more than human resolution I lay still.

The story is renowned for its vivid and gruesome descriptions of torture, which were quite intense for the time period. The narrator faces various forms of physical and psychological torment, including being strapped to a wooden frame with a razor-edged pendulum slowly descending to slice him, and being pushed towards a deep, dark pit by hot metal walls that are closing in. And Poe's focus on sensory details, such as the sound of the pendulum hissing as it swings, the feeling of thirst and starvation, and the presence of rats, enhances the realism and horror of the narrative. These elements make the experience of the narrator more visceral and terrifying for the reader.

While the story is set during the Spanish Inquisition, Poe takes significant creative liberties, exaggerating and distorting historical facts to amplify the horror. This blending of historical setting with fictional atrocities adds to the overall sense of dread and inhumanity23.
Psychological Horror
The narrative delves deeply into the psychological torment of the narrator, describing his descent into madness and his constant fear of death. The story begins with the narrator already suffering from "death anxiety," and this theme is sustained throughout, making it a deeply unsettling read.

Given that The Gift was a Christmas and New Year's publication intended for a broad audience, including families and children, the inclusion of such a dark and graphic tale is particularly noteworthy. It highlights Poe's ability to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in literature at the time, even in a context typically associated with more festive and uplifting content.

The manipulation of time, space, and reality in the Pit and the Pendulum adds to the nightmarish atmosphere. The narrator's perception of time is distorted ("days passed—it might have been that many days passed"), and the room's dimensions and characteristics are altered by unseen forces, further disorienting the reader.

The tale's use of an "inescapable predicament" format, where the narrator faces a series of dreadful situations from which he cannot escape, would have been particularly horrifying. This format, combined with the first-person perspective, removes any suspense about the narrator's fate, making the reader experience the horror directly through the narrator's eyes.
These elements, especially when published in a Christmas and New Year's annual like The Gift, would have stood out for their intensity and darkness, making "The Pit and the Pendulum" a profoundly unsettling read for 19th century audiences.

Such contributions reflect Poe's involvement in the gift book tradition, which was a significant part of 19th-century American publishing and helped to disseminate literature to a much wider audience.

Well, we’ve covered a lot of information, but I encourage you to listen to episode 302 - Poe and Oz - sort of a transition episode between Poe’s works and the world of Oz. And over the 12 days of Christmas, I plan to read the entire original book of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz over 12 episodes.

Sources include The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe by Hervey Allen, The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, by Edgar Allan Poe, edited by James Albert Harrison, The Poe Log: A Documentary Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Dwight R. Thomas and David K. Jackson, Poe and Place by Phillip Edward Phillips, Own, and The Afterlife of Edgar Allan Poe by Scott Peoples.

Thank you for listening to Celebrate Poe.