A Sacrifice for Love by O Henry Designer: Xu Pingbo

O. Henry

Sep 11, 1862 North Carolina William Sydney Porter a bank clerk 1887, marry, a daughter, a son 1897, accused of in prison be released, 1901 change name Jun 5, 1910, an alcoholic, die penniless

10 600 master of short stories and tales fast writer 1904, 1st collection 2nd “The Four Million” 10 600 the O Henry Memorial Awards

a poor couple, Christmas, only possessions, sell, buy a gift About the story a poor couple, Christmas, only possessions, sell, buy a gift

Scanning Group A: search for expressions about their poor life Group B: search for expressions about Della’s feelings and thoughts

Expressions about their poor life: Sixty cents of it was in pennies. bargaining until one’s cheeks burnt. A grey cat walking along a grey fence in a grey backyard. The place was shabby. a mailbox in which no letter would go an electric bell that did not work There were two possessions in which they both took pride in. the worn red carpet $1.87 She put on her old brown jacket and her old brown hat.

Expressions about Della's feelings and thoughts: Della wept. Della finished crying and attended to her cheeks. Her eyes were shining, but her face had lost its color within 20 seconds. She hesitated for a minute and stood still while a tear or two fell on the carpet. She looked at herself in the mirror for a long time.

What is her feeling when Della decides to sell her beautiful hair Discussion What is her feeling when Della decides to sell her beautiful hair hesitating sad eager worried

inside out run search quick shining hurry

Prediction Can you predict how Jim might react when he sees Della? Will Jim buy Della a ? If any, what might it be?

How does Della expect Jim to react when he sees her? Skim the text fast and check whether your prediction is right or not? How does Della expect Jim to react when he sees her? What is Jim’s reaction when he sees her hair gone? What is Jim’s gift for Della? How can he afford it? She expects Jim to think she is still pretty. He wears an expression on his face that Della can’t understand that she has been prepared for. The gift Jim has bought for her is the set of combs that Della has long been dreaming of. He sold his watch to get the money.

…… Twisting feelings: Before Jim’s return Worry / pray When Jim stares at her Fear When Della opens her gift A scream of joy After a moment Break out in tears When she holds out the gift for Jim Bright spirit …… Learning the watch is sold?

What impression does the ending leave you?

Characters of ordinary people Realistic detail A twist of plot O. Henry’s writing style: Characters of ordinary people Realistic detail A twist of plot Surprising ending

The ending of The Cop and the Anthem Soapy felt a hand laid on his arm. He looked quickly round into the broad face of a policeman. “What are you doing here?” asked the policeman. “Nothing,” said Soapy. “Then come along,” said the policeman. “Thinking of robbing the church, eh?” “Three months’ imprisonment,” said the judge in the police court the next morning.

Recommended works by O. Henry: The Cop and the Anthem The Last Leaf The Ransom of Red Chief http://www.goldnets.com/book

Other recommended American short stories: Mark Twain: The Million Pound Note The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Huckleberry Finn Ernest Hemingway: The Old Man and the Sea Nathaniel Hawthorne: Scarlet Letter http://www.bookschina.com

Bring books to life and help young readers appreciate literature Bring books to life and help young readers appreciate literature. Hopefully, you'll inspire them to be readers for a lifetime. --- O. Henry

A Sacrifice for Love Both Della and Jim give up their most precious possessions for the love of each other. What is your understanding of the title?

 Gift Of The Magi Jim: my heart is sad, my soul is weary Though Christmas day is fast appear I have no silver i have no gold To buy my wife a gift this year To see her sad on Christmas morning Is a thing i cannot bear I'll pawn the watch my father gave me To buy a comb for her hair Della: Oh mother, mother what shall i do? Though Christmas day is fast appear I have no silver i have no gold To buy my love a gift this year For i am poor and i'm a beggar Not a cent have i, no dime i claim I'll trade the golden hair that is our pleasure Buy for your watch a golden chain

Jim: Darling, darling today is Christmas What has become of your golden hair For i've traded our only treasure These silver combs for you to wear Della: Darling, darling we've lost our treasure My gift to you is a golden chain Though we've pawned away our only pleasures These gifts we give are not in vain All: The wise men came on Christmas morning Their gifts of love they came to bear From that day on always remembered Our own true love forever share

sea in the moonlight Love is……

Enjoy loving and being loved.