The Gift of the Magi Group

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ilovetaylorlautner
ilovetaylorl...
Student
High School - 11th Grade

In the story "The Gift of the Magi" why does Jim use his middle name on his mailbox?

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Posted by ilovetaylorlautner on Sunday February 1, 2009 at 4:10 PM and tagged with characters, jim, the gift of the magi.

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  1. mrs-campbell Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The story seems to indicate that he used that middle name, "Dillingham" on the box because it sounded official, formal, and proud, and when it had been put on there, Jim "was being paid $30 per week", a figure apparently worthy of the fancy name. The fancy name is a sort of symbol of their financial state; at first solid, well-off, and fancy. But over time, as their finances trickled off, O. Henry states that "the letters of “Dillingham” looked blurred, as though they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D." The letters themselves were fading, just as their finances were. So the name is a symbol for their finances and high hopes.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/gift-magi
    http://www.enotes.com/gift-magi-text/the-gift-of-the-magi
    http://www.enotes.com/gift-magi/james-dillingham-young

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    Posted by mrs-campbell on Sunday February 1, 2009 at 5:00 PM