The Gift of the Magi Questions and Answers
The Gift of the Magi
Examples of figurative language in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
Examples of figurative language in "The Gift of the Magi" include similes, such as comparing Della's hair to a "cascade of brown waters," and metaphors, like referring to the couple's prized...
The Gift of the Magi
Sofronie
In "The Gift of the Magi," the name "Sofronie" is used by a character to present herself as foreign and aristocratic, but her speech and demeanor suggest she is likely of Irish descent and not very...
The Gift of the Magi
Plot Structure of "The Gift of the Magi"
"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry follows a classic plot structure with exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. The exposition introduces Jim and Della, a poor couple...
The Gift of the Magi
Jim's Reaction to Della's Haircut in "The Gift of the Magi"
In "The Gift of the Magi," Jim's reaction to Della's haircut is initially one of disbelief and confusion, which terrifies Della. He doesn't express anger or disappointment, but rather a peculiar...
The Gift of the Magi
What are two sentences featuring alliteration in "The Gift of the Magi"?
In "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, there are two sentences featuring alliteration. The first instance is "So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs,...
The Gift of the Magi
The irony in Jim and Della's exchanged gifts in "The Gift of the Magi."
The irony in Jim and Della's exchanged gifts lies in their sacrifices. Della sells her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy Della combs for her hair. Their gifts...
The Gift of the Magi
Literary device used in "The Gift of the Magi."
The primary literary device used in "The Gift of the Magi" is irony. The story features situational irony, where both main characters, Jim and Della, sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy...
The Gift of the Magi
Personal reflections on enjoyment and reaction to "The Gift of the Magi"
Personal reflections on "The Gift of the Magi" often highlight the story's emotional impact and its themes of love and sacrifice. Readers typically enjoy the touching narrative of Jim and Della's...
The Gift of the Magi
The simultaneous foolishness and wisdom of Jim and Della in "The Gift of the Magi."
Jim and Della exhibit both foolishness and wisdom in "The Gift of the Magi" by sacrificing their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, which ultimately renders the gifts useless. Their...
The Gift of the Magi
What does the phrase "tripped by on rosy wings" mean in The Gift of the Magi?
In "The Gift of the Magi," the phrase "tripped by on rosy wings" metaphorically describes how quickly and delightfully the next two hours pass for Della, once she gets the money needed to buy a...
The Gift of the Magi
"The Gift of the Magi" Character, Conflict, and Critical Analysis
The main conflict in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" centers on the poverty of the protagonists, Jim and Della, who wish to buy meaningful Christmas gifts for each other despite their financial...
The Gift of the Magi
In "The Gift of the Magi," what does "the wrong answer" refer to?
In "The Gift of the Magi," the "wrong answer" would be to say that a million dollars is worth far more than eight. The right answer is that the love Della and Jim share is worth far more than any...
The Gift of the Magi
Della Young's Character Analysis in "The Gift of the Magi"
Della Young, the protagonist in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," is portrayed as a deeply loving, selfless, and generous character. Despite her poverty, she is determined to buy a meaningful...
The Gift of the Magi
Della's Comparison to the Queen of Sheba in "The Gift of the Magi"
In "The Gift of the Magi," Della's comparison to the Queen of Sheba highlights the value she places on her long hair. O. Henry uses hyperbole to suggest that Della's hair would outshine the Queen's...
The Gift of the Magi
What are the conflicts in "The Gift of the Magi": man vs. man, man vs. nature, and man vs. himself?
The conflicts in "The Gift of the Magi" include man vs. himself and man vs. man. Della experiences internal conflict (man vs. himself) as she struggles with her decision to cut her cherished hair to...
The Gift of the Magi
What is the purpose of paragraph 5's discussion of the name "Dillingham" in "The Gift of the Magi"?
The purpose of paragraph 5's discussion of the name "Dillingham" is to highlight the contrast between social status and personal affection. It illustrates how Jim and Della's previous financial...
The Gift of the Magi
Significance of the Surprise Ending in "The Gift of the Magi"
The surprise ending in "The Gift of the Magi" is crucial as it highlights the themes of love and sacrifice. Both Della and Jim sell their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, only to...
The Gift of the Magi
Alternate endings for "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
Possible alternate endings for "The Gift of the Magi" could explore different outcomes based on the couple's selfless acts. One version might have Jim and Della discovering their gifts before...
The Gift of the Magi
Explain the quote from "The Gift of the Magi": "I buy hair," said Madame. "Take your hat off and let's have a sight...
The quote from "The Gift of the Magi" illustrates Madame Sofronie's lack of sophistication and impersonality. When Della offers to sell her hair, Madame Sofronie responds bluntly, reflecting her...
The Gift of the Magi
References to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
In "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry references King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba to highlight the immense value of Jim and Della's sacrifices for each other. These biblical figures symbolize wealth...
The Gift of the Magi
How does Della's slenderness aid her in "The Gift of the Magi"?
Della's slenderness aids her in "The Gift of the Magi" by allowing her to see her reflection in the narrow pier-glass mirror. Living in a cheap apartment with a low-quality mirror, Della's thin frame...
The Gift of the Magi
What is the "hashed metaphor" in this quote from "The Gift of the Magi"?
The "hashed metaphor" in the quote from "The Gift of the Magi" is "the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings." By "hashed," O. Henry means the metaphor is trite, overused, and not very good, as...
The Gift of the Magi
Foreshadowing in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
Foreshadowing in "The Gift of the Magi" appears through subtle hints about the couple's sacrifices for each other. For example, Della's concern about her hair hints at its future sale, and Jim's...
The Gift of the Magi
Characters and Roles in "The Gift of the Magi"
The main characters in "The Gift of the Magi" are Jim and Della Young, a poor married couple who each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a Christmas gift for the other. Della sells her...
The Gift of the Magi
What does the line "Being Wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in...
The line means that the magi’s gifts were wise, valuable, and practical, with the possibility of exchange if duplicated. O. Henry contrasts this with Jim and Della’s gifts, which seem unwise as they...
The Gift of the Magi
Direct and indirect characterizations in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi."
Direct characterization in "The Gift of the Magi" includes explicit descriptions, such as Della's long, beautiful hair and Jim's prized watch. Indirect characterization is shown through their actions...
The Gift of the Magi
Explain the character of Jim in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi".
Jim in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" is a loving, kind, and self-sacrificing husband. Despite financial hardships, he sells his prized gold watch to buy his wife a gift, demonstrating his deep...
The Gift of the Magi
Jim and Della's Valued Possessions and Gifts in "The Gift of the Magi"
In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," Jim and Della's most valued possessions are Jim's gold watch, a family heirloom, and Della's long hair. They each sacrifice these prized items to buy Christmas...
The Gift of the Magi
Symbolism and Characters in "The Gift of the Magi"
In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," Jim and Della Dillingham Young are depicted as "foolish children" who sacrifice their most valued possessions—Della's hair and Jim's watch—to buy gifts for each...
The Gift of the Magi
What is the resolution of "The Gift of the Magi"?
In "The Gift of the Magi", the resolution occurs when Jim and Della discover they've sold their prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, rendering the new gifts useless. Despite this...
The Gift of the Magi
The significance and recurrence of the number three in "The Gift of the Magi."
The number three in "The Gift of the Magi" holds significance through its recurrence, symbolizing the three wise men and their gifts. This allusion underlines the theme of selfless giving, mirroring...
The Gift of the Magi
Della's methods of saving money in "The Gift of the Magi"
Della saves money through frugality and sacrifice. She scrimps on groceries, negotiates with merchants, and saves every penny she can, even resorting to haggling. Despite her best efforts, she only...
The Gift of the Magi
Sacrifices in "The Gift of the Magi"
In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," Della and Jim, a financially struggling couple, each sacrifice their most treasured possession to buy a Christmas gift for the other, highlighting their deep...
The Gift of the Magi
The significance of the Magi in "The Gift of the Magi" and their connection to the main characters
The significance of the Magi in "The Gift of the Magi" lies in their embodiment of wisdom and selflessness. The main characters, Jim and Della, mirror these qualities through their self-sacrificial...
The Gift of the Magi
What do the following passages from "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry mean?
The passages from "The Gift of the Magi" highlight Della's embarrassment over appearing stingy when bargaining with familiar shopkeepers and describe her and Jim's modest living conditions....
The Gift of the Magi
External Conflict and Resolution in "The Gift of The Magi" by O. Henry
In "The Gift of the Magi," the external conflict arises from Jim and Della's financial struggles, which hinder their ability to buy meaningful Christmas gifts for each other. The resolution occurs...
The Gift of the Magi
Madame Sofronie in "The Gift of the Magi"
Madame Sofronie is a minor character in "The Gift of the Magi." She is the owner of a hair goods shop where Della sells her long hair to buy a Christmas gift for her husband, Jim. Sofronie is...
The Gift of the Magi
Key Events and Character Reactions in "The Gift of the Magi"
In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," Jim and Della, a financially struggling couple, each sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other. Della sells her long hair to purchase a...
The Gift of the Magi
The possessions Jim and Della take pride in
Jim and Della take pride in Jim's gold watch and Della's long, beautiful hair. These possessions are significant to them as they symbolize personal and sentimental value, which ultimately leads them...
The Gift of the Magi
The significance and symbolism of Della's hair in "The Gift of the Magi."
Della's hair in "The Gift of the Magi" symbolizes her love and selflessness. By cutting and selling her long, beautiful hair to buy a gift for her husband, Jim, she demonstrates the depth of her...
The Gift of the Magi
What is the genre of "The Gift of the Magi"?
The genre of "The Gift of the Magi" is a short story, specifically in the subcategory of "Seasonal" due to its Christmas theme. The structure follows typical short story elements with a focus on...
The Gift of the Magi
How does the pier glass symbolically relate to Della in "The Gift of the Magi"?
The pier glass symbolizes Della's relationship with her hair and reflects her willingness to sacrifice it for love. Literally, it prompts her idea to sell her hair for a gift. Metaphorically, it...
The Gift of the Magi
Jim's age and appearance in "The Gift of the Magi."
Jim is described as being twenty-two years old. He has a thin, serious appearance, with a worn look that suggests he has faced many hardships in life despite his young age.
The Gift of the Magi
Why does Della say, "My hair grows so fast, Jim" in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi"?
Della first tells Jim that her hair grows fast in order to reassure him that she will soon look like her old self again, as she did before she cut off all her hair and sold it. Della next tells Jim...
The Gift of the Magi
What is the meaning of the sentence about the gray cat in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi"?
The sentence about the gray cat in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" accentuates Della and Jim's bleak financial situation. The repetition of "gray" emphasizes the dreariness and lack of color in...
The Gift of the Magi
What is the underlying meaning of the italicized sections in the given excerpt?
The italicized sections highlight the contrast between past prosperity and current poverty faced by the Youngs. The broken mailbox and non-functional electric button symbolize their deteriorated...
The Gift of the Magi
How would you react differently if you were either Jim or Della?
If I were in Jim or Della's situation, I would focus on creativity and personal connection rather than material gifts. Many people recall times when financial constraints led to more meaningful,...
The Gift of the Magi
Why do one's cheeks burn with silent imputation of parsimony in this context?
Della's cheeks burn with the silent imputation of parsimony because she feels embarrassed by the appearance of being stingy. In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," she scrupulously saves pennies by...
The Gift of the Magi
What does "one's cheeks burned with silent imputation of parsimony" mean in "The Gift of the Magi"?
In "The Gift of the Magi," Della feels embarrassed as she bargains hard with shopkeepers to save every penny, which makes her cheeks burn with the silent accusation of being miserly, or "parsimony."...
The Gift of the Magi
What could be an introduction and starting idea for a sequel to "The Gift of the Magi"?
A sequel to "The Gift of the Magi" could explore the next generation, with Jim and Della's children facing similar dilemmas between material possessions and love. Another idea involves Jim and Della...