The+Gift+of+the+Magi

The Gift of the Magi ** Published: 1906 ** ** Author: O. Henry ** - William Sydney Porter, alias O. Henry was born in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 11th 1862. At age sixteen he left school and began working at his uncle’s drugstore. In 1882 Porter moved to Texas and became a reporter, columnist, and cartoonist for the //Houston Post.// Porter was thrown in jail for embezzling bank funds and that is where he began writing short stories. After he was released from jail Porter moved to New York and changed his name to O. Henry. Many of his stories including The Gift of the Magi were based on his observations of the lives of everyday New Yorkers. O. Henry died in June of 1910. //The Rose of Dixie After Twenty Years One Thousand Dollars.//
 * Page Number: 524- 530 **
 * Other Stories written by O. Henry:**

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 * Exposition:** We are introduced to Della and Jim Dillingham Young. They are a poor couple living in New York City. We are told that even though they are poor they each have one possession in which they are very proud of. Della has very long and elegant hair; Jim has a gold pocket watch that was given to him by his grandfather. They only have a combined income of 20 dollars a week and 8 of it is paying for their rent; the rest of it is spread very thin. It is days before Christmas and neither of them have the money to pay for a gift.


 * Rising Action:** Della has only saved up 1 dollar and 87 cents but wants to buy a gift for Jim that he will be proud of owning. She decides to sell her most prized possession in order to get her husband a nice gift. She goes to Madame Sofronie (a wigmaker who buys hair) and gets twenty dollars in return for her hair. She then spends most of the day searching around the city until she finds a chain that she thinks Jim can hang his watch on. When Della returns to her apartment she begins to make Christmas Eve dinner. She starts fixing her hair (she is scared that Jim will no longer think she is pretty anymore because she cut her hair). When Jim comes home from work, he does not have a normal expression on his face (he is in a sort of trance), and Della does not know how to interpret it.


 * Climax:** Jim gives Della a gift first and it turns out to be the tortoise shell combs that she had wanted very much but could no longer use because she cut her hair. When she gave Jim his gift he fell to the couch and a dumb smile spread across his face. It turned out that Jim had sold his pocket watch so that he could buy the combs.


 * Falling Action:** Della and Jim realized that both of their gifts were now useless because they foolishly sacrificed their most prized possessions. Jim could not use his new chain because he sold his watch and Della could not use her new combs because she sold her hair.

Click here to veiw a [|magi image]
 * Denouement:** Even though Della and Jim just realized their heartbreaking errors they remained in love. These two are now all the wiser from this experience and will have learned a very important but devastating lesson. The lesson that they learned was that love should not be measured by the quality of gift you can buy for one another. They are now as wise as the Magi in the art of gift giving.

-Image of old New York City Point of View The point of view is third person limited and third person omniscient at times. What makes the story limited is that many times he tells the story only from Della’s point of view. The readers do not really know much about Jim’s feelings other than what Della interprets them to be. However, sometimes the author seems to be omniscient because he incorporates outside knowledge such as information on the Magi and a summary of life in general (“Life is made up of sobs, sniffles and smiles, with sniffles predominating.”). Imagery · “In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name “Mr. James Dillingham Young.” The “Dillingham” had been flung to the breeze during a former period of prosperity when its possessor was being paid $30 per week. Now, when the income was shrunk to $20, the letters of “Dillingham” looked blurred, as though they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D.” (Page 525) o This description shows how unattractive the house is becoming. No one wants to even approach the doorbell. It also gives readers a feeling that Della and Jim are too poor to fix the sign and make their house more inviting. After all, they cannot even pay their rent, so why would they waste money on a sign and doorbell? · “So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her.” (Page 526) o This description does not just tell readers what Della’s hair looked like. It also conveys Della’s feelings toward her hair. She prizes her hair and knows how beautiful it is. In this section of the story, Della begins to cry while looking at her hair. This foreshadowing convinces readers that something is about to happen to Della’s hair, such as her sacrificing it (which is the most probable prediction). Mood The mood of the story is a loving one, but also one of suspense. Jim and Della give up their most prized possessions to buy each other Christmas gifts. Even after they tell each other that they cannot use their gifts at the moment, they still are grateful for the gesture and keep a positive spirit (ex: Della says that her hair will grow back). The reaction of Jim seeing Della’s hair makes the reader unsure of what might happen next, making the story have elements of suspense, too. Suspense · As Jim walked through the door and noticed Della’s hair, he had an expression that Della could not understand. Was it one of anger? Or Surprise? What will Jim say and do next? (Page 527) · Jim will not take out his pocket watch to put his new chain on. Why? Does he not like it? Does he feel guilty that Della sacrificed her hair to buy it? (Page 530) Main Characters There are not that many characters in the story. Actually, there are only three, one of which is flat. The two round characters are: · Della- is introduced in the beginning of the story as a poor woman with long beautiful hair. She is also described throughout the plot as generous. She donated her most prized possession, her hair, in order to buy her husband a Christmas gift (a chain for his pocket watch). · Jim- is Della’s husband. He, too, is portrayed as loving, but he also described as hard working. All of his work still cannot help pay rent, though. He cannot afford to buy Della a gift, either. To get her a gift (the hair combs she had been worshiping), he sells his most prized possession, his pocket watch. Symbolism Symbols in “The Gift of the Magi” exist throughout the story. One example is O. Henry’s referring to the magi. They represent being wise when it comes to gift giving. Thinking about the magi also makes Della and Jim realize their foolish sacrificing, and taught them to be more careful next time when giving gifts. [|To See How the Number 3 Plays a Part in the Story, Click Here] Quotes · “One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. . . And the next day would be Christmas.” (Page 525) o This tells the reader that Della is very poor, but also introduces the problem: How will Della get Jim a Christmas gift? · “Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its color within twenty seconds.” (Page 526) o This gives readers in insight on Della’s character: even though she is in a very poor financial situation, she still remains positive. · “ ‘Jim darling,’ she cried, ‘don’t look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold it because I couldn’t have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. It’ll grow out again-you won’t mind, will you? (Page 527) o This quote describes Della’s love towards Jim. Even after she sacrificed her hair to buy Jim a gift, she is still concerned about his feelings about her new hair (she asks him if he minds her short hair, and reassures him it will grow back out fast). · “For there lay The Combs- the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped for long in a Broadway window.” (Page 529) o Readers now know why Jim reacted the way he did when he saw Della’s hair. At this point, she starts to feel horrible for not having her long hair to use the combs in. However, she again says that her hair grows out fast (keeping a positive attitude during a crisis). <span style="color: #3333ff; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore; msobidifontfamily: Symbol;">· “let’s put our Christmas presents away and keep ‘em a while. They’re too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.” (Page 530) <span style="color: #3333ff; font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Ironically, Jim can’t use Della’s gift, either (he sold his pocket watch to buy Della’s combs, so the chain does him no good).
 * Setting:** The Gift of the Magi takes place in New York City in the year 1905. Most of O. Henry's stories take place in the time period in which it was written. This is because he based most of the books off of his observations of normal New Yorkers. Most of the story takes place inside of Della and Jim's appartement but sometimes in the city itself. The Gift of the Magi is a simple setting, there is nothing special about New York that would change the story if it took place in a different city.


 * Characterization

James (Jim) Dillingham Young ** is both a //round// and //dynamic// character. You can describe Jim as a reliable, generous, understanding person. He doesn’t mind that the present he received from Della had no use anymore because he knew it was the thought that counted in giving a present that meant a lot to him. He grows wiser from his experience of giving and receiving a gifts that could not be used.


 * Della** is also a //round// and //dynam////ic// character. Della is happily married to Jim, and she shows this throughout the story that she would so anything she could to please him or make him content. She is a thoughtful, loving, and sacrificing wife that would do anything to make Jim happy. She grows wiser in that she knows now how to give wise gifts (after giving and receiving gifts that could not be used).


 * Madame Sofronie** is the hairdresser that cuts off Della’s long beautiful hair. She is not a main character throughout the story and only carries a short role. Madame is a //flat// and //static// character. You can only describe Madame as a hair dresser; you don’t initially know anything about her, so therefore she does not change throughout the story so she is static.

<span style="color: #862d86; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; msospacerun: yesmsoSpacerun; msoansilanguage: EN;">The Gift of the Magi has different themes. The themes in this short story are poverty, love and generosity. Poverty has a role in this story because Jim and Della did not have enough money for each other so they sold the things that meant the most to them and were the most valuable in order to get money. They wanted to use this money to buy a Christmas present for one another. This showed how much they truly loved each other, and that they would give up what meant the most for them in order to make the other happy. That also showed love, that they wanted to use the money they got from their most valuable possessions to make their loved one happy and give them the perfect Christmas. Generosity also has a big role in the story. This role comes in when Della and Jim give up what they loved most, their most favorite possession to buy the perfect present. <span style="color: #038653; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> ** Indirect Characterization ** "On went her __old brown jacket__; on went her __old brown hat__. With a whirl of skirts and with the __brilliant sparkle still in her eyes,__ she __fluttered__ out the door and down the stairs to the street." The author hints based on Della's actions that even though she is quite poor, she still has a positive outlook on life. “But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and smile and say, “My hair grows fast, Jim!” – The author hints that Della is thankful for every act of kindness toward her and keeps a positive attitude in the middle of a negative event.
 * <span style="color: #862d86; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; msospacerun: yesmsoSpacerun;">Theme **

** Direct Characterization ** “He looked thin and very __serious__.” The author directly describes Jim as serious. “She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by __generosity__ added to __love__.” The author directly says that Della is generous and loving. This story takes place around 1905. During this time period, right before the Great Depression, Theodore Roosevelt was president. He is most famous for his personality, his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" image. Originating from a story from one of Roosevelt's hunting expeditions, [|teddy bears] are named after him. The Great Depression, which occurred after the recession Della and Jim are experiencing, started around the 1930’s and 1940’s. Many people along with Della and Jim were very poor at this time because they were in a recession, so money was stretched. At this time, Americans had yet to make their mark on the art scene. Many American artists went to Europe to paint. Realism and Impressionism artists of this period included [|Eakins], [|Prendergast] , and the famous portraitist Sargent. Painters like [|Winslow Homer], [|Charles Russell] , and [|Frederic Remington] painted America's life and landscape. During this time many novelists produced happy ending novels because the most common group of readers that read fiction were women and they preferred happy endings. Some of the best selling authors and books were L. Frank Baum’s //The Wonderful Wizard of Oz//, Mary Johnson’s //To Have and To Hold,// and Jack London’s //Call of the Wild.// [|For more information on the time period CLICK ME!] ** Vocab **** ulary ** ** Words ** Synonyms: neat, classic, elegant Antonyms: immoral, debased, ornate The Christian girl promised her parents to remain chaste as they gave her a promise ring. ** Meretricious: ** adj. meaning attractive in a cheap, flashy way Synonyms: showy, gaudy, sham Antonyms : genuine, real, undecorated A cubic zircon is a meretricious way of impressing others. ( A cubic zircon is a fake jewel used to make jewelry that looks real. ) ** Discreet: ** adj. meaning tactful or respectful Synonyms: detached, different, disconnected Antonyms: tactless The discreet man told everyone his personal thoughts and views on school lunches, but in a respectful way.
 * Time Period **
 * Chaste ** : adj. meaning pure or clean in style; not ornate

<span style="display: block; color: rgb(102,0,102); text-align: center;">“The Gift of the Magi” Critique “The Gift of the Magi” is a heartwarming Christmas story that earned O. Henry respect as an author. There are many elements that he includes that enhance the work. O. Henry makes the readers feel like part of the action. They can easily imagine, if not relate, to Jim and Della’s experiences of sacrificing what they love to afford a gift for each other. Our plummeting economy has affected many of us, just like the recession of 1905 affected Jim and Della. O. Henry’s work is easy to love, and only had a few minor drawbacks. However, these drawbacks did not take much away from the story. For these reasons, “The Gift of the Magi” deserves a rating of 2 ½ stars. O. Henry incorporates many different examples of figurative language such as similes, metaphors and alliterations, thus making the story much more interesting to read. An example of his use of figurative language is “So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters.” O. Henry also includes vivid descriptions of the settings and of various objects. The use of imagery allows readers to develop images of the action in their minds. One such example is “She stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking by a gray fence in a gray backyard.” This imagery describes the monotony of Jim and Della’s town as well as alerts readers that a problem is arising (gray usually indicates depression). Another way O. Henry helps readers connect to the passage is by addressing them personally in certain excerpts. The readers in this way feel like a part of the plot, and therefore find the story more enjoyable. However, O. Henry does not continually write in the same point of view throughout the story, which can be somewhat confusing. Many times, he writes in third person limited. The reader only knows as much about Jim’s feelings as Della interprets them. Other times, he writes in third person omniscient; he brings in information, such as the magi, that Della and Jim do not know. The characters Jim and Della seem like real people, and are described enough so that the readers can sympathize with their situation. There are only three characters in this story, only two of which (Jim and Della) are round. Even though they are round, they are not complex. If O. Henry would have described Jim and Della a little more in-depth, the readers would have been able to relate to them better. Lastly, O. Henry’s use of foreshadowing allows readers to make plausible predictions of the course of actions. Although the ending was unexpected, his use of clues and vivid descriptions made the ending appropriate for the characters/circumstances. On the flip side, the abundant amount of clues made the ending almost too predictable, and less exciting. Overall, “The Gift of the Magi” is an excellent anecdote. Although it possesses some minor flaws, the positive aspects of the story outweigh the negative. It is therefore fitting that this passage earns a rating of 2 ½ stars.

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