They are often ordinary people. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', Della and Jim are a young, poor couple. They don't have much materially but are rich in love. These characters are usually in some kind of difficult situation, like financial struggles. But they have strong emotions and values. They are selfless when it comes to their loved ones. They are also very relatable, which makes the readers easily connect with them.
The main characters are typically very human. They can be impulsive at times. Take Della again, she impulsively cuts her hair to get money for Jim's present. They are also full of hope and dreams. Despite their hardships, they look forward to a better future, especially during the Christmas season. They are the kind of people who find joy in small things and are able to see the beauty in simple acts of kindness. And they are often characters who are willing to make sacrifices for the happiness of others.
Typically, the main characters are the cowboys themselves. They are the ones who drive the story forward, whether it's an old, experienced cowboy sharing his Christmas wisdom or a young, eager cowboy learning the ropes during the holiday season.
Typically, the main characters are individuals with some sort of emotional baggage. They might be dealing with past traumas or disappointments. For instance, a war veteran who is struggling to fit back into society during Christmas. Or a young woman who has been jilted in love and is now hesitant to open her heart again, but through the events of the Christmas story, she begins to heal and change.
Love is a major theme. Characters often show their love for others in unexpected ways during Christmas. Another theme is sacrifice, like in 'The Gift of the Magi' where both Jim and Della sacrifice their prized possessions. Also, the idea of hope is there. Even in difficult situations, the characters in the stories seem to hold onto hope during the Christmas time.
Children themselves are main characters. The stories usually focus on their experiences during Christmas, like waiting for Santa or opening presents.
Henry Miller's short stories feature a range of characters. There are the wanderers, those who are not satisfied with the sedentary life and are constantly on the move, seeking new experiences. Then there are the intellectuals, who are deep in thought, grappling with big ideas about life, art, and society. There are also the misfits, those who don't fit into the normal social order. These characters interact in various ways, sometimes clashing, sometimes finding common ground, all while Miller uses them to tell stories about the human experience in all its complexity.
O Henry's Christmas short stories are known for their surprise endings. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple sacrifices their most precious possessions to buy gifts for each other, only to find out that the gifts are now seemingly useless but in fact show their deep love. His stories often capture the essence of the Christmas spirit, which is about giving, love, and self - sacrifice. They also depict the lives of ordinary people during the Christmas season, with their joys, sorrows, and hopes.
In 'The Gift of the Magi', the main characters are Jim and Della. They are a young married couple living in poverty.
In addition to those, the Christmas tree can be a sort of main character in some stories. It might be a magical tree that has special powers or a tree that a family decorates together and then strange and wonderful things start to happen around it. These characters are all staples in quick Christmas bedtime stories.
The main characters in these stories can be children as well. These children are usually full of wonder and excitement for Christmas. They might be a bit naughty sometimes, like trying to peek at presents early, but always have good hearts. And there are often magical characters such as reindeer with shiny noses that can fly through the sky on Christmas Eve.
Often, there are cute and friendly animals like reindeer. They are usually brave and helpful, like when they assist Santa with his Christmas preparations.