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Christmas Quote by Charles Dickens

“The Grocers'! oh the Grocers'! nearly closed, with perhaps two shutters down, or one; but through those gaps such glimpses! It was not alone that the scales descending on the counter made a merry sound, or that the twine and roller parted company so briskly, or that the canisters were rattled up…” quote by Charles Dickens
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““The Grocers'! oh the Grocers'! nearly closed, with perhaps two shutters down, or one; but through those gaps such glimpses! It was not alone that the scales descending on the counter made a merry sound, or that the twine and roller parted company so briskly, or that the canisters were rattled up and down like juggling tricks, or even that the blended scents of tea and coffee were so grateful to the nose, or even that the raisins were so plentiful and rare, the almonds so extremely white, the sticks of cinnamon so long and straight, the other spices so delicious, the candied fruits so caked and spotted with molten sugar as to make the coldest lookers-on feel faint and subsequently bilious. Nor was it that the figs were moist and pulpy, or that the French plums blushed in modest tartness from their highly-decorated boxes, or that everything was good to eat and in its Christmas dress; but the customers were all so hurried and so eager in the hopeful promise of the day, that they tumbled up against each other at the door, crashing their wicker baskets wildly, and left their purchases upon the counter, and came running back to fetch them, and committed hundreds of like mistakes, in the best humor possible; while the Grocer and his people were so frank and fresh that the polished hearts with which they fastened their aprons might have been their own, worn outside for general inspection, and for Christmas daws to peck at if they chose.””

Charles Dickens

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens, 1840

The bustling market scene overwhelms the senses with sights, sounds, and smells, yet the chaotic rush of customers reflects holiday urgency and desire for comfort.

In simple terms: A busy market full of sensory details and hurried shoppers.

Key Takeaway

Notice how sensory overload can mask underlying excitement.

Themes

sensory overload holiday rush consumer behavior

Mood

busy anticipatory nostalgic

Type

descriptive observational

When to use this quote

  • Christmas shopping
  • crowded markets
  • food aromas
  • customer urgency
  • vendor hospitality

Key Concepts

Victorian literature market dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does sensory detail affect your perception of a scene?
  • What does the crowd’s behavior reveal about holiday expectations?
A Different Perspective

The description may romanticize chaos, ignoring stress on shoppers.

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