illustration of two people, a woman and a man, looking at one another in profile with an ornate hair comb between them

The Gift of the Magi

by O. Henry

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The Gift of the Magi Questions on Irony

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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...

14 educator answers

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...

5 educator answers

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...

3 educator answers

The Gift of the Magi

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...

5 educator answers

The Gift of the Magi

The ending of "The Gift of the Magi" is ironic because Della and Jim each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a gift for the other, only to find that their gifts are rendered useless. Della...

3 educator answers

The Gift of the Magi

The irony in describing Madame Sofronie as "large, too white, chilly" lies in the contrast between her appearance and the expectation set by her name. Despite the exotic and elegant implication of...

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The Gift of the Magi

It is ironic that Della buys a watch chain and Jim buys combs for Christmas because both sell their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other that end up being useless. Della sells her hair...

2 educator answers

The Gift of the Magi

The events in "The Gift of the Magi" cannot be omitted or reordered without losing the story's essence. The simultaneous, secret sacrifices of Della and Jim—selling her hair and his watch—are crucial...

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