The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What was the price offered by Madane Sofronie for Della's hair?
  In O. Henry’s short story The Gift of the Magi, husband and wife Jim and Della Dillingham Young want to get one another presents for Christmas. The story is mostly told from Della’s...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What is a good example of a "blues" poem for the situation in "The Gift of The Magi"? Please, I need a good example of a poem with this format: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~music/BLUES/iihpojd.html
  Well, to be frank, it seems unlikely that you'd link the blues with this story, since it is one about a rather tender and sentimental act…not the loss, pain, and frustration associated with the...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Which sentence from the text suggests that Jim is not fully confident about his gift to his wife?
  In O'Henry's classic short story "The Gift of the Magi," Jim and Della Dillingham Young live on a meager budget and struggle to make ends meet. Despite their modest financial situation, both Jim...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What is the plot diagram for "The Gift of the Magi"?
  Exposition: The opening scenes where Della is counting her money and realizing that she is short. Also, when O. Henry describes the shabbiness of their apartment. This lets us know two crucial...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Why does O. Henry often speak directly to his audience? Give an example of one of these instances.
  O'Henry speaks directly to his audience for two reasons. First, this form of narration draws readers into the story and creates a sense of intimacy with the narrator. The speaker and the readers...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  The holidays are often considered a time for family. Consider the role of family in the story "The Gift of the Magi." In the context of this story, what is the meaning of family? Cite evidence from...
  In this story, it becomes apparent by the end that family and the love of family are everything. They are worth one's sacrificing one's most prized and beloved possession, and they would sacrifice...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Why do you think the story is titled "The Gift of the Magi"? Who are magi in the bible?
  In the Bible, in the Gospel of Matthew, the magi are the three kings—also called the three wise men—who travel from far away lands to bring the baby Jesus valuable gifts of gold, frankincense,...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What resources do Della and Jim have in "The Gift of the Magi"? How do they use them?
  Della and Jim are a young married couple. Their material resources are rather slim so they improvise to make the best of their situation. Their primary resources, which are not material, are what...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Do you agree that love and sacrifice is the theme of the story? Why?
  One could certainly acknowledge that love and sacrifice are the two primary themes of O. Henry's classic short story "The Gift of the Magi." In the story, Jim and Della are extremely poor and they...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Describe the relationship between Della and the Queen of Sheba.
  O'Henry makes the following allusion to the Queen of Sheba in the story: Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out of the window some day...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Where do Della and Jim live in "The Gift of the Magi"?
  In "The Gift of the Magi," Della and Jim live in a larger city described as being colorless ("grey") in a very humble apartment that lacks furnishings—rough or otherwise. Within the city itself...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What are two ways you can tell the couple is struggling financially?
  We need look no further than the first line of the story to find an example of Jim and Della's hardship: One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. It's coming up to Christmas, and Della...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What is the summary of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?
  "The Gift of the Magi" is the story of a young, rather poor, married couple. Jim and Della don't have very much money but they are very much in love. The most valuable items in their possession are...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  In "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry tells the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. Explain.
  In O. Henry's classic short story "The Gift of the Magi," Jim and Della are an extremely poor young couple who wish to purchase expensive, worthy Christmas gifts for each other. Della does not have...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  How did Della save her one dollar and eighty-seven cents?
  Della has somehow managed to scrimp together the tiny sum of one dollar and eighty-seven cents. It's taken her a lot of effort to put together such a small amount, but even so, it's still not...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  According to the narrator of The Gift of the Magi, which type of moments mostly make up life?
  At the beginning of the story, Della steadily counts her one dollar and eighty-seven cents multiple times before she bursts into tears and begins crying on her couch. The following day will be...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  At the end of the story, the narrator, in reference to Jim and Della, says, "Of all who give gifts these two were the wisest." Why does the narrator think that Jim and Della are wise?
  The ending of “The Gift of The Magi” tells of the beautiful sacrifices Jim and Della make for one another. In this famous story, Jim sells his pocket watch to buy Della a set of combs for her...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  How does the author of "The Gift of the Magi" unfold the irony of Jim having bought the combs for Della's hair, which is no more now?
  This effect is achieved through the use of the narrator, who lets the reader in on what Della and Jim want to do for each other (get each other a wonderful gift, which they really cannot afford)....

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Is the title "The Gift of the Magi" appropriate?
  This would probably be a personal judgment call, as no one can dictate whether you should think the title of a story works or not. That being said, we can try to discuss this title within the...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  In "The Gift of the Magi," why are Jim and Della compared to the Magi? How are they the wisest?
  The point that O. Henry makes about gift-giving in "The Gift of the Magi" is one that has been tritely summed up with the aphorism, "It's the thought that counts." In the cases of Jim and Della,...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Where does Della get the $1.87 from, according to the text "The Gift of the Magi"?
  In O'Henry's "Gift of the Magi," we learn that Della gets the $1.87 to purchase her husband's Christmas gift by pinching every possible penny from the household shopping budget. In fact, sixty...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  At the end of the story, the narrator, in reference to Jim and Della, says, "Of all who give gifts these two were the wisest." Why does the narrator think that Jim and Della are wise? Support your...
  In the final paragraph of the story, the narrator describes the original magi, the wise men in the story of the Christ child's birth. They gave wise gifts, expensive gifts, though it cost them...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Compare and contrast the effectiveness of the endings of the stories "The Gift of the Magi" and "Lamb to the Slaughter".
  Both "Lamb to the Slaughter" and "The Gift of the Magi" have endings that are unique, creative, and definitely a distinct twist on the stories themselves. They both surprise the reader: in "The...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Do you think O. Henry himself is the narrator of the story, "The Gift of Magi"? Why or why not?  
  There are several reasons to think that O. Henry is the narrator of his own story. One is that there is a great deal of authorial input. The author is commenting on his own story with...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Why is the story called "The Gift of the Magi"?
  The Magi were the three wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. They had travelled many miles and gave unselfishly to a child. This act of love is mirrored in the story "The Gift of the...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Why is "The Gift of the Magi" an interesting story?
  There are several elements that make a story interesting. These may vary from person to person. However, “The Gift of the Magi” has been a well-loved story for generations. A lot of people...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Who was King Solomon and  in this context why does O. Henry mention him  in "The Gift of the Magi"?
  King Solomon's story is recorded in the Bible Old Testament book of First Kings. King Solomon was the son of King David and succeeded King David, bringing the twelve tribes into a united and strong...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What is the setting in "The Gift of the Magi"?
  O. Henry generally used one of five settings which were the American South, New York, the West, prison, or Central America. For The Gift of the Magi, he chose to set this story in New York.He paid...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What would be the direct and indirect characterization in "The Gift of the Magi"?
  It can be difficult at times to distinguish between indirect and direct characterisation. However, direct characterisation can only ever occur in a story with a third person point of view, as it is...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What are some of the figures of speech in The Gift of the Magi?
  It would be difficult to list them all in a single answer because this story is full of them, but here are a couple more examples. O Henry uses in allusion in refering to the riches of King...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  In "The Gift of the Magi," what is the situational irony?
  Situational irony can be defined as when we as readers are led to believe that one thing is going to happen only to be shocked and surprised when something entirely different or the opposite of...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What happened next? I like to have my students extend this short story by writing about what happens next in the story. Some like to write about ways in which the couple can enjoy their seemingly...
  Della kept the combs, of course, and her hair eventually grew out long enough to be able to wear them. Much later, on their oldest daughter's wedding day, Della gave the combs to Mary for the...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What is the gift O'Henry refers to in the title and how is it related to the magi in "The Gift of the Magi?"
  The real gift is the love that Jim and Della have for each other. Jim and Della were very poor, but each wanted to surprise the other with a meaningful gift for Christmas. This was because they...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What does Della plan in the story "The Gift of the Magi"?
  Della's problem in the story is raising the money she needs to purchase a suitable Christmas present for Jim. The first step in her plan involves saving as much money as possible from the amount...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What details of character and setting has O. Henry included to show the conflict and the characters' reactions to this conflict in "The Gift of the Magi?"
  Della and Jim Dillingham have fallen upon hard times and their clothes and their flat reveal some of their hardships. In the exposition of O. Henry's story, Della counts out her money which falls...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What is the complication of the plot in "The Gift of the Magi"? plot
  In "Gift of the Magi" the main complication stems from the impoverishment of the young couple; Della and Jim simply do not have enough money to purchase Chirstmas gifts for each other. This...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Is sacrifice a human weakness in "The Gift of the Magi"? What are the human weaknesses in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?
  There is a paradox that is set in the narrative commentary of O. Henry at the end of his story, "The Gift of Magi": ....And her I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Are Jim and Della round or flat characters in "The Gift of the Magi"?
  Jim and Della, as the main characters in "The Gift of the Magi," are well-rounded characters. O. Henry spends significant time providing enough detail about each of the to allow the reader to...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  How old is Jim from "The Gift of the Magi"?  
  The answer to your question can be found in the middle of this story, after Della has had her beautiful hair cut off and is waiting for Jim to enter their appartment and is hoping that Jim will not...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  In "The Gift of the Magi" how do Della and Jim feel toward each other? Give evidence from the story to support your answer.
  Actions speak louder than words, and it is their actions and concern for one another's happiness that speaks of how much they love each other. They each sacrifice their greatest worldly treasures...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  How does Della get the money to pay for Jim's watch chain?  
  O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi" is about a young couple, Jim and Della, living in New York City at the turn of the twentieth century. O. Henry's stories featured ironic, surprise...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  In "The Gift of the Magi", Della stops at a sign that reads, "Mme. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds. One flight up." Is this an example of situational irony or a surprise ending?
  In order to answer this question, we should start with definitions. Situational irony is when incongruity appears between exception and what actually happens. A surprise ending is just like it...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Is the couple's love believable? Is the story's ending happy?  
  The answer to your first question would be a matter of opinion. Take a look at the evidence of caring and affection between Jim and Della, then decide if you think that their love is believable. -...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  In "The Gift of the Magi," what reaction does Della think Jim will have to her short hair?  
  Della impetuously sells her beautiful long hair in order to raise enough money to buy her husband a Christmas present. Then when she buys the present, a platinum watch fob, and gets back home, she...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Do you think Mr. James Dillingham is too young to be rich in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?  
  Your point is a possibility. According to the short story, they do not have children. This might suggest that they are young and for this reason may be poor. However, this is probably not the point...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  Why does O. Henry describe Della as prettier than the Queen of Sheba?
  O. Henry does not actually say that Della is prettier than the Queen of Sheba; he only says that Della's hair would have been envied by the Queen of Sheba. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  In "The Gift of the Magi," why does the writer call Jim and Della foolish and wise at the same time? I want a good answer which has all possible reasons.
  He calls them foolish because in the act of giving their gifts, the couple rendered their respective gifts useless. Neither Jim nor Della could really use what the other had given, because in the...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What is your response to "The Gift of the Magi" story? provide quotations if necessary.
  What is most impressionable from this story is the value we place on love. From the birth of Jesus until today, we often jump through hoops to make the ones we love happy. Della and Jim both...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," of what two possessions are the James Dillingham Youngs most proud?
  This sweet short story is about how a young couple loves each other so much that they are willing to part with their most treasured possessions in order to purchase a meaningful gift for the other...

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• The Gift of the Magi
  What are some quotes that support the theme of "The Gift of the Magi"? Please explain them in detail.
  With the theme of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" being that love supercedes materialism, that is, the spiritual gift of love is far more important than any material object, much of the written...

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