Why was the story titled Gift of the Magi?*1 pointA. It describes how Della met the wise magi.B. It is about how Jim disguised as one of the three magi.C. It is about the three wise magi who gave baby Jesus gifts during Christmas Eve.D. It narrates how Della and Jim became wiser than the three magi during the Christmas Eve.

1. Who are the Magi in the story? Where did they came from? 2. Where you can find in the OT the prophecy that was written in Matthew 2:6? 3. Why did Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt? 4. In your own observation about the story, how would you describe the environment of Jesus during that time ? 5. What gifts did the Magi offer to Jesus? What is the meaning/symbol of that gifts?

The Gift of the Magi (excerpt)O. Henry1One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.2There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.3While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to the second, take a look at the home. A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar description, but it certainly had that word on the lookout for the mendicancy squad.4In 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."5The "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, though, they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D. But whenever Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and reached his flat above he was called "Jim" and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you as Della. Which is all very good.6Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. Something fine and rare and sterling--something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim.QuestionWhich BEST describes the effect of sections one and two?ResponsesA The lack of dialogue reveals the loneliness, but also the selfishness of Della.The lack of dialogue reveals the loneliness, but also the selfishness of Della.B Fragments and short sentences create a sense of urgency or intensity in the reader.Fragments and short sentences create a sense of urgency or intensity in the reader.C Short sentences and formal diction reveal a comical aspect to the information shared.Short sentences and formal diction reveal a comical aspect to the information shared.D Formal diction and fragments cause the reader to see the impatient disposition of Della.Formal diction and fragments cause the reader to see the impatient disposition of Della.

The Gift of the Magiby O. Henry (adapted excerpt)Della had been saving every penny she could for months, but twenty dollars a week didn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated, and she had only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him, something fine and rare and sterling—something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim.There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room, and Bella suddenly whirled from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length. Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across, Della would have let her hair hang out the window just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts.So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly, and once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.2Select the correct answer.Which statement best describes how Della's love for Jim affects the plot? A. It causes Della to quit her job in order to spend more time with Jim. B. It makes Della realize that she loves her own looks more than she love Jim. C. It makes Della want to go out for shopping to buy pretty things for herself. D. It motivates Della to sell her hair so that she can buy a gift for Jim.

In "The Gift of the Magi," what is the major theme?Self-sacrifice and love are important.Pain caused by deceit is destructive.True beauty is not based on appearances.Honesty is the best policy.

The narrator is describing the thoughts and actions of which characters in this section?Della and Madame SofronieJim and DellaMadame Sofronie and Jim