What is the story of the gift of the Magi?
Originally published in The New York Sunday World newspaper, "The Gift of the Magi" also appeared in the 1906 O. Henry anthology, "The Four Million." The "magi" of the title refers to the three wise men from the Biblical story of Jesus' birth.
How did della get the money in the gift of the Magi?
Ans. Della got the 1.87 Cents in the gift of the magi by bargaining with the people who provided provisions like the grocery, the butcher, and the vegetable man. What makes the author come to the conclusion that ‘life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating’?
How does the narrator sum up the story of the Magi?
They decide to have dinner, and the narrator sums up the story with a little paragraph on the magi. He describes them as wise men who invented the art of giving Christmas presents, and he compares Jim and Della to the magi—saying that of all who give gifts, these two are the wisest.
Is Henry's language in the gift of the Magi outdated?
Some of the language and phrasing O. Henry uses in "The Gift of the Magi" seems a bit outdated, particularly his descriptions of Della and references to salary and prices in 1905. How could the story be updated to be more contemporary without losing its central lessons of love and sacrifice?
What day is The Gift of the Magi?
Henry, published in the New York Sunday World in 1905 and then collected in The Four Million (1906). The story concerns James and Della Dillingham Young, a young couple who, despite their poverty, individually resolve to give each other an elegant gift on Christmas Eve.
What did Della buy for her husband Jim for $21?
On Christmas Eve, Della Young discovers that she has only $1.87 (equivalent to $56 in 2021) to buy a present for her husband Jim. She visits the nearby shop of a hairdresser, Madame Sofronie, who buys Della's long hair for $20 (about $600 in 2021). Della then uses the money to buy a platinum pocket watch chain for Jim.
What occasion is being celebrated in the story gift of the Magi?
The story ”The gift of the magi” takes place on a single day, Christmas Eve, and illustrates the love that a young couple has for one another. They do not let their poverty come in the way of giving each other befitting gifts for Christmas. Both sell their most treasured possession to buy a gift for the other.
What prayer did della say to herself when she heard Jim come inside?
What prayer did Della say to herself when she heard Jim come inside? Please, God, make him enjoy his gift. Please, God, make him accept my apology.
Why is Della sad Christmas Eve?
Della is unhappy because she has been saving money all year to buy her husband Jim a nice Christmas present and has only been able to save one dollar and eighty-seven cents. This is what motivates her to sell her long, beautiful hair, an action from which the remainder of the story unfolds. O.
Why was Della sobbing and sniffing?
Expert-verified answer Della sat down and cried because she wanted to buy a Christmas present for her husband Jim but did not have enough money to do so.
What is the real name of O. Henry?
William Sydney PorterO. Henry / Full nameWilliam Sydney Porter (O. Henry) was born on a plantation in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 11, 1862.
What was the full name of Jim?
Jim, a diminutive form of the given name James.
Why did O. Henry change his name?
He legally changed his name to O. Henry to shield his past and moved to New York City to write for a magazine. He wrote a story a week for the New York World, and in 1904, published his first collection, Cabbages and Kings.
What was the fear in Della mind?
mwestwood, M.A. In character with Della, her fears are not selfish. She wants to look pretty, not for herself, but for Jim. For, after she returns home, she uses the curling iron on her hair to make herself look the best that she can for her husband: "If Jim doesn't kill me....But...
Why does della worry about her hair?
Della is worried that Jim won't think she is beautiful with short hair, but Jim loves her for more than just her beautiful hair and how she looks. If you really love somebody, they are beautiful no matter how they look.
Why did Della repeat the line My hair grows so fast to Jim?
She wants to reassure Jim that his sacrifice of his watch to buy her a set of combs would not be a misfortune because she will be able to use the combs in a short while when her hair grows back at least a few inches.
How much money did Della count out at the beginning of the story?
$1.87 "The Gift of the Magi" begins with the following lines. 'One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in p...
Upon moral reflection, what did Della (Mrs. James Dillingham Young) decide that life was made up of?
Sobs, sniffles and smiles . After Della counted her money she flopped down on the couch and began to scream and cry. Sobs, sniffles and smiles s...
What important day is tomorrow in "The Gift of the Magi"?
Christmas . Della had spent many hours planning on what to buy Jim for Christmas so she was obviously saddened when she realized how little money...
What did Della sell Madame Sofronie for $20?
Most of her hair . Madame Sofronie simply looked at Della's hair and ran her hand through it before offering $20. After she sold her hair, Della...
What did Della buy for her husband Jim for $21?
A platinum fob chain . According to Della, the platinum fob chain was simple and chaste in design. Jim used to use an old leather strap instead...
What did Della think Jim would think her new look reminded him of?
A Coney Island chorus girl . Della felt that "If Jim doesn't kill me before he takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island ch...
What prayer did Della say to herself when she heard Jim come inside?
Please, God, make him think I am still pretty. Della had a habit of saying little silent prayers about simple everyday things. Della said this p...
What did Jim get Della as a gift?
A set of combs . As can be expected, Jim was quite shocked when he saw that Della had cut her hair. Jim affirmed his love to Della by telling he...
How did Jim pay for his Christmas gift to Della?
He sold his watch. Jim was obviously flabbergasted when he saw that Della had gotten him a chain for his beloved watch. Jim smiled and told Dell...