The New Yorker reviewed John Cheever’s Christmas is a Sad Season for the Poor in December 1949, and it was a complete satire because it went against the expectations of many. Under normal circumstances, Christmas is a good day of the year for everyone because it is the season of giving. Similarly, it is during Christmas that liturgical melodies are the best. By 1949, Cheever had written other famous stories, including "Vega" and the "Swimmer," which also were figured in the New Yorker.
The novel is about Charlie, an elevator operator, and on the eve of Christmas day, he wakes up very early when everyone is asleep to go to work. The weather is cold, and everything looks gloomy. The previous day he had depression, and during Christmas, he had to report to work. When Charlie gets to work, he is alone because his colleagues do not come to work. He starts lamenting and cursing Christmas day. Mrs. Hewing hears him cursing the day and feels sorry for him.
Charlie tells Mrs. Hewing that he does not have a family and lives alone. He adds that he will lose his job if he fails to come to work. The primary role of Charlie is to guide people on how to use the elevator, which takes them from one floor to the other. However, most of the time, he is alone, and during these moments, he fantasizes about the number of miles he has covered since he started using the elevator.
Cheever's story tells a terrifying truth about people's suffering, and he uses Charlie as a perfect example. Consequently, Cheever reminds readers that Christmas day is not always rosy for everyone because some need attention, love, and care that they do not have available.
