# A Christmas Guest explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Selma Lagerlöf.

## What happens

Little Ruster, a former pensioner at Ekeby and a drunkard, arrives at Liljekrona's home before Christmas. The household fears his presence will ruin the holiday and tempt Liljekrona away. On Christmas Eve, Ruster is sent away but is turned away from every house due to his drunkenness. Lost in a snowstorm, he returns to Löfdala where Liljekrona's wife, moved by compassion, welcomes him and gives him a task to care for the children, while Liljekrona plays wildly upstairs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Redemption

Ruster's journey through rejection and despair on Christmas Eve leads to a moment of compassion and acceptance at Löfdala, suggesting a redemptive turn.

### Deception and Truth

The household's initial pretense of hospitality and their true feelings about Ruster are contrasted with the eventual genuine welcome from Liljekrona's wife.

## Character check-ins

### Ruster

Little Ruster, a poor music copyist and flutist, is a drunkard shunned by others. He is turned away from every house on Christmas Eve but is finally welcomed back at Löfdala by Liljekrona's wife.

### Liljekrona

The great violinist and former Ekeby pensioner, now settled at Löfdala. He feels remorse for letting Ruster leave and plays wild, scornful music in his room.

### Blomgren

Liljekrona's wife, who initially worries about Ruster's presence but later shows compassion, welcoming him and giving him a task to care for the children.

## Key lines

> He could come and spoil the pleasure of an ordinary day, but not of Christmas Eve.

They would tolerate him on a normal day, but not on the special occasion of Christmas Eve.

_Reflects the community's rejection of Ruster due to his drunkenness._

> It is the end of me, he thought. No more copying of music, no more flute-playing. No one on earth needs me; no one has compassion on me.

He believed his life was over, that his skills were useless, and that nobody cared for him.

_Ruster's despair as he realizes his social isolation._

> He understood that it was the end of him, on this Christmas Eve. Hunger and cold would destroy him, for he understood nothing, was good for nothing and had no friends.

He accepted that he would die that Christmas Eve from hunger and cold, feeling worthless and friendless.

_Ruster's resignation to his fate._

> She felt such compassion on him that she forgot her own troubles.

Her pity for Ruster was so strong that it overshadowed her personal worries.

_Liljekrona's wife's empathy leads to her change of heart._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/a-christmas-guest
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_50_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters