# Bertie's Christmas Eve explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Saki.

## What happens

On Christmas Eve, the Steffink family gathers for festivities, but Bertie Steffink, a ne'er-do-well nephew facing exile to Rhodesia, is sullen. When the family goes to the cow-house to hear animals speak (a Russian legend), Bertie locks them in. He then hosts a raucous party with strangers, playing instruments and drinking champagne. After hours, he tosses the key to the prisoners, freeing them. Bertie declares it his happiest Christmas Eve, despite having a 'rotten Christmas.'

## Themes in this chapter

### Rebellion and Individuality

Bertie's defiance of family expectations and his act of locking the family in the cow-house embody rebellion against social norms.

### The Absurdity of Social Rituals

The family's earnest participation in the cow-house legend and the chaotic aftermath highlight the absurdity of forced holiday merriment.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Facade

Luke Steffink's pride in his respectable household contrasts with the family's undignified imprisonment and Bertie's revelry.

## Character check-ins

### Luke Steffink

The uncle and guardian, who hosts the Christmas party and is locked in the cow-house by Bertie.

### Bertie Thropplestance

The rebellious nephew who locks the family in the cow-house and throws a wild party.

### Horace Bordenby

A Christmas guest who suggests the Russian legend about animals speaking on Christmas Eve.

### Beryl Pevenly

A young guest who eagerly suggests going to the cow-house to hear the animals talk.

### Mrs. Steffink

Luke's wife, who chaperones the cow-house expedition and later frets about the champagne being drunk.

## Key lines

> Bertie Steffink, nephew of the aforementioned Luke, had early in life adopted the profession of ne’er-do-weel; his father had been something of the kind before him.

Bertie Steffink, Luke's nephew, had become a good-for-nothing early on, just like his father before him.

_Introduces Bertie's character as a lazy troublemaker._

> In Russia, said Horace Bordenby, who was staying in the house as a Christmas guest, I've read that the peasants believe that if you go into a cow-house or stable at midnight on Christmas Eve you will hear the animals talk.

Horace Bordenby, a guest, mentions a Russian belief that animals can speak at midnight on Christmas Eve.

_Sets up the plot device that leads to the family being locked in._

> It was the happiest Christmas Eve he had ever spent. To quote his own words, he had a rotten Christmas.

Bertie considered it his best Christmas Eve ever, though he admitted the Christmas itself was terrible.

_Highlights Bertie's ironic satisfaction with his rebellious actions._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/bertie-s-christmas-eve
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters