1. Analyzing the Short Story
“The Gift of the Magi”
Analyzing the
Short Story

2. Building Background
Read the “Build Background” paragraph on 151 and explain O’Henry’s allusion to the Magi.
Choose two of the “words to know” that you are not familiar with or not sure about and define them. Looks for the words as you read and write down the sentence in which the word occurs.

3. Literary Terms and Plot
Create a plot diagram of the story. You must include: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution. In the center of your diagram, write the internal and external conflicts that drive the plot.
What is the setting? Write down a quote that clearly shows the setting.
Find and example of a simile and a metaphor.

4. Situational Irony
Occurs when what a character-or reader-expects one thing to happen but something entirely different occurs.
What Della plans:
What actually happens:
What Jim plans:

5. Situational Irony What Della plans:
Sell her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch.
She expects Jim to treasure the chain.
What actually happens:
Jim has sold his watch.
What Jim plans:
He sells his watch to buy Della beautiful combs for her hair.
He expects her to use the combs.
Della has sold her hair.

6. Allusion
Allusion- a figurative reference to a previous work or historical event as a comparison. Its purpose is to provide a figurative image that links the literary work to that previous work or historical event to increase the range of meaning through the context of the alluded work.
The allusions in this story help O’Henry achieve his purpose and develop his message. Explain each allusion and how it contributes to the story’s theme.
Allusion
What is it?
How does it contribute to the theme?
Magi
Queen of Sheba
King Solomon

7. Allusion Allusion What is it? How does it contribute to the theme?
Magi
Three wise men- Balthasar, Melchoir, and Gaspar. They traveled east guided by a miraculous star, to present gifts to the infant Jesus. These gifts were prized possessions.
In the end the gifts that Della and Jim give and receive are their most prized possessions– love and sacrifice. They are the “wisest” gift givers.
Queen of Sheba
A rich Arabian Queen.
Adds to the message because her wealth his contrasted with Della’s hair. The implication is Della’s hair is worth more.
King Solomon
A biblical king of Isreal, known for his wisdom and wealth.
King Solomon’s wealth is contrasted to Jim’s watch. The message is Jim’s family heirloom would make Solomon envious.

8. Comprehension Questions
How much money does Della have?
She only has $1.87
What did Della want to do with the money?
She wants to buy Jim a Christmas present.
What 3 words would you use to describe Jim and Della’s relationship?
There relationship is loving, generous, selfless, solid, romantic
What has happened to Jim’s weekly salary?
It went from $30 to $20.
What are the 2 possessions that Jim and Della take pride in?
They take pride in Della’s beautiful long hair and Jim’s pocket watch.
What two gifts do they buy each other?
Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch. Jim sells his watch to buy hair combs for Della.

9. Theme
Define gift
something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present.
What gift do you think O’Henry refers to? How does the allusion to the Magi confirm the meaning of the word “gift.”
The gift is sacrifice or love. This is confirmed by the reference to the magi.
What is the theme?
The theme is that love and sacrifice are more important than material gifts.

10. SOAPSTone SOAPSTone Analysis Concrete Detail Subject
The general topic, content, and ideas contained in the text. What is this piece about? State this in a few words or a phrase
Occasion
The time and place of the piece; the current situation or context which gave rise to the writing. Think time period, environment of ideas, attitudes, emotions, etc.
Audience
The group of readers to whom this piece is directed. The audience may be one person, a small group, or a large group. What qualities, beliefs, or values do the audience members have in common? The choice of an audience will affect how and why one writes!
This story was published in 1906 for a NY newspaper. Who was O’Henry’s audience.
Purpose
The reason behind the text. What does the speaker, writer, or filmmaker want the audience to do, feel, say or choose? Why did the author write the piece? You must use a purpose verb to describe this.
“to ___ that_____”
Speaker
The voice that tells the story. Whose voice is being heard? Does the voice belong to a fictional character, a real person, or the writer? In nonfiction, you must include important facts about the speaker that will help the audience assess the point of view. What do we know about the writer’s life and views that shape this text?
Tone
What is the attitude of the writer? Tone is conveyed through diction, syntax, and imagery/figurative language. It is tone that extends the meaning beyond the literal. Is the tone light-hearted or deadly serious? Mischievous or ironic?