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Identify The Characters of The Story

The document provides background information on the short story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. It summarizes that the story takes place at Christmas time and features a young married couple, Della and Jim, who are poor and cannot afford gifts for each other. To buy gifts, Della sells her long, beautiful hair and Jim sells his pocket watch. They each sacrifice their most valuable possession out of love for their spouse.

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76 views

Identify The Characters of The Story

The document provides background information on the short story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. It summarizes that the story takes place at Christmas time and features a young married couple, Della and Jim, who are poor and cannot afford gifts for each other. To buy gifts, Della sells her long, beautiful hair and Jim sells his pocket watch. They each sacrifice their most valuable possession out of love for their spouse.

Uploaded by

joana marie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1. Identify the characters of the story. Describe each.

Della is described as “young, affectionate, selfless, and somewhat hysterical, requiring Jim to
comfort her when she’s upset” woman. Jim is known as Della’s husband, and “the lord of the
flat,” is only twenty-two and heavily burdened by the need to support the household on a low
salary. Despite this burden, however, he’s described as content, quiet and loving husband.

2. During what holiday does the story take place?

The story happened during Christmas time where the Lord was born.

3. What is the main problem presented in the story?

The couple was so poor that they could not afford to buy gifts to celebrate Christmas.

4. How did the characters resolve their problem?

By selling their most precious possession to make each other happy, like what Della did, she sold
her hair in order to buy a gold chain for her husband and Jim had sold his gold watch in order to
buy a comb for his wife

The Gift of the Magi

Vincent, Elizabeth, Derrick

Bell WorkVocabulary Slide ShowAuthor BackgroundDiscussion QuestionsLiterary


TermsHomeworkCredits

Discussion Questions (with answers!)

1. How essential is the setting of the story? Could the story have taken place at another
time?

I like the setting and think it is important. The amount of money Della had and how she sold her
hair wouldn't work in 400 B.C or in modern times.

2. How do the sacrifices of Jim and Della compare to each other?

Ultimately, Della's hair will grow back. Jim, however, sold a family heirloom which can not
exactly be replaced. I believe that Jim has more entitlement to crying over his loss than Della
does, especially since Jim doesn't actually care if Della's hair is short, and Della rarely leaves the
house.
3. Do you think that Jim and Della appreciated their gifts?

Jim and Della clearly appreciated their gifts, although neither were usable. It was the thought that
counted, because both of them had to get rid of their most prized possessions in order to give the
other person a gift.

4. Would the personalities of Jim and Della change if they were better off financially?

If you think about the stereotypes of rich people, yes. Having everything you want at your
fingertips can definitely impact their personalities. Jim and Della are kept humbled by being poor
and having only each other.

5. Why do you think the story compares Jim and Della to the Magi?

The true value of a gift lies in the sacrifice involved in it. The Magi gave their most valuable
possessions to Jesus, who was a sacrificial gift himself. Both the characters in this story and the
biblical Magi gave their most precious belongings for the benefit of somebody else.

6. How important do you think appearances are?

Judgements, in general, are based mostly on appearance. First impressions especially. As such, I
hold appearances to be of relative importance.

7. What is your most prized possession?

My stuffed giraffe, Lovey, that my dad bought me after he came home from eight months
deployment in the navy.

8. How would you react to losing your prized possession?

It depends on the circumstance. If giving my most prized possession to someone meant making
them happy, I would feel far better than if the possession was stolen or destroyed.

9. If you were Jim or Della, how would you feel about the gift you received?

I would feel a little upset, because my husband had sold the object I bought the gift for. I still
would feel grateful, because I would know he cared.

10. Would you prefer to be financially secure, or emotionally content?

I would prefer to be emotionally content because money can't buy happiness.

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