Christina Rossetti
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Author: Christina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti was a renowned Victorian poet and author, known for works such as “Goblin Market” and “The Prince’s Progress.”
The short story Nick was written in 1853 and is included in Commonplace and Other Stories. Around this time, Christina Rossetti was tormented by the thought of accepting the second position in life. This theme is reflected in the short stories The Lost Titian and Hero as well as in the poem The Lowest Room:
I may be second, but not first;
I cannot be the first of all
This weighs on me, this wearies me,
I stumble like to fall.
The Lowest Room
Themes:
Envy and Discontentment: In the story, Rossetti explores the human character, as manifested by the hero, Nick. Nick is described as ‘poor’ not because he lacks means, but because he cannot find joy in his life despite having all the means and abilities to do so. He spends his time envying other people’s possessions, considering their prosperity as his own poverty. The consequences of his envy and discontentment drive the narrative and highlight these feelings’ destructive nature.
Wishes and their consequences: His envy and discontentment culminate in his ill wishes, summoning the appearance of a “little rosy woman” who rebukes him and declares, “Henceforward you shall straightway become everything you wish; only mind, you must remain under one form for at least an hour.” The ill wishes lead to unfavorable consequences and after a series of misadventures, Nick comprehends the true nature and purpose of the blessing.
Fairy Tale elements: Christina Rossetti introduces the elements of a fairy tale right at the beginning of the story by noting that Nick lived in a village “not a thousand miles from Fairyland”. Thus, it seems only natural that Nick, caught in his idle moment of ill-wishing towards his neighbors, is rebuked by a fairy who grants his wish with a slap as a form of reprimand.
Self-analysis, and Growth: Nick, as portrayed by Christina Rossetti, emerges as a round character. The challenging circumstances in which he found himself contributed to his growth as he was able to self-analyse. He made it out of the harrowing situations safely and gleaned valuable lessons. He channeled his learning to rediscover himself and performed good deeds for every individual he had previously wished ill upon.
Symbols:
Nick: archetypal curmudgeon.
cherries: material possessions that are the objects of envy.
cottage: symbolizes contentment
corpse: represents the gravity and consequences of negative actions.
Fairyland: reference to a fairyland blurs the distinction between the real and the magical.
Fairy woman: Nick’s conscience or wisdom (guiding him towards wisdom)
metamorphosis/ change: symbolizes the potential for growth and transformation.
ill wishes and their effects: symbols of the evil power of envy, greed, and dissatisfaction.
money chest and documents: symbolize material possessions.
Analysis:
The fairytale narrative dodges being too didactic by employing humor. This balance allows the story to convey important lessons without becoming overly preachy or instructional. The story integrates allegorical elements as well to convey truths about human nature.
Instead of deriving satisfaction from his own prosperity and rejoicing in the success of his neighbors, Nick bemoans their fortunes as if their wealth were his downfall. One day, leaning over Giles Hodge’s gate, he covets his cherries, desiring to consume them as a flock of birds or eradicate the trees entirely. Before long, a diminutive rosy woman, no larger than a butterfly, appears and curses Nick, decreeing that he shall transform into whatever he wishes for a minimum of an hour.
Nick embodies the epitome of a curmudgeon, and his curse reflects the traditional motif found in Mother Goose tales. Initially morphing into a flock of sparrows, he ravages the coveted cherries, only to face a barrage of gunfire from Farmer Giles and a pursuit by a tabby cat. Evading capture, he transforms into a snarling bulldog and subsequently wishes to become a viper, a thorn, a man-trap, and even the despised cudgel. Each wish materializes, leading to events where the cudgel misses its mark and shatters, and Nick exacts revenge by setting fire to the house, citing provocation as justification.
The transformation from ravenous birds to bulldog, bludgeon, and flames is characterized by a sequence of violent encounters, each fiercely quashed in turn. The fire is eventually doused with buckets of water, reducing Nick’s malice to a smoldering flame amid dampened ashes, seething with suppressed fury. Eventually, he seeks retribution by transforming himself into the village miser, resulting in the burglary of the house and the miser being felled by a crowbar. In a gothic twist, Nick realizes his demise as he listens to his assailants ransack the house, feeling utterly disheartened.
The following day, he endeavors to atone for the havoc wrought by his rage and envy. Consequently, he is never heard again expressing a wish.
The Literary Companion 