Sem-2, BA ENG, English Literature II, Unit-5, The Gift of the Magi (Henry)

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THE GIFT OF THE MAGI WRITTEN BY O. HENRY

MARINERS’ POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES {SNS} SCHALE RENEE ABIADA NEIL JESSA REDONDO SARAH MAE SALUMBIDES BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

THE AUTHOR William Sydney P o r t e r(S ep tem b e r 1 1, 1862 – June 5, 1910), also known by his pseudonym O. Henry, was an American short story writer. O. Henry's short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization, and surprise endings. Like many other writers, O. Henry's early career aspirations were unfixed and he wandered across different activities and professions before he finally found his calling as a short story writer. From pharmacy to drafting, journalism and banking.

THE AUTHOR During his early twenties, he published a weekly humor magazine, The Rolling Stone, which failed. Then he took up a job with the Houston Post newspapers. However, with a past misdeed and some embezzlement of funds caught up with him. Which led him to flee over Honduras to escape the punishment. When he found out that his wife, Athol Estes Porter, was dying back in the states, only then did he return. When she died, he spent more than three years in prison in Columbus, Ohio. He improved his writing skills there and then after his release from prison, that’s when he became a professional writer and settled in New York City.

BRIEF SUMMARY The Gift of the Magi is a short story written and published in 1905. It takes place on Christmas Eve and tells the story of Jim and Della Dillingham—a poor, young married couple who don't have enough money to buy each other Christmas gifts. Between the couple, Jim's gold pocket watch that once belonged to his father and his grandfather, and Della's lustrous, long hair that falls below her knees are the only two possessions that they consider their treasures.

STORY ANALYSIS: SETTING Place: Takes place somewhere in New York Citywhere Dillinthgeham Couple lived in a shabby, second-story flat. Time: Christmas Eve a long time ago Weather Condition: Cold, it was winter Social Condition: The Dillingham couple was financially struggling Mood or Atmosphere: Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.

STORY ANALYSIS: CHARACTERS Della Dillingham: A loving, devoted woman to her husband. Described in the story as a young, affectionate, and selfless. Jim Dillingham: Della’s husband. Described in the story as a twenty-two- year-old thin man who worked hard so they could have enough money to pay their flat. However, despite this, he’s described as someone who’s contented, quiet, and good-natured. Loves Della as much as she loves him. Madame Sofronie: The hair shop owner who bought Della’s hair for $20. She was mentioned as a large, too white, and too chilly or cold despite being called Madame Sofronie.

STORY ANALYSIS:PLOT SUMMARY On Christmas Eve, Della only had $1.87 in savings with which to buy a gift for her husband, James Dillingham Young. She had counted all the money she has thrice but it was still $1.87 so she did what she did—she sobbed flopped down on their shabby couch available inside their flat.

STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY Times are tough. James Dillingham Young, or Jim, is the breadwinner of the family and was being paid $30 per week but now shrunk to $20 per week. It was barely enough to pay for their small flat as they were financially struggling. Della spent a lot of time planning for the best present for her husband. Something fine and rare and sterling— something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim.

STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY Suddenly, Della got an idea. Whirling about the room, she let her hair fall down to its full length. She shed a few tears that fell on the worn out red carpet and faltered for a few moments after she tied up her hair. It is one of two prized possessions between her and Jim, the other being the gold pocket watch handed down to him from his father.

STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY A moment later, Della goes down the street to Madame Sofronie’s shop, where the sign reads “Hair Goods of All Kinds.\" There, Della sold her hair.Madame Sofronie bought her hair for a cold $20.

STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY After two hours of shopping, she found what she deemed was the right gift; A platinum fob chain to replace the old leather strap attached to Jim’s watch. It is simple and elegant, and it costed Della $21, leaving her with 87 cents.

STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY Once Della had returned home, she used curling irons to give herself a new hairdo, readied the coffee, got the pork chops ready for frying, then prays that Jim will like her new look.

STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY Jim arrived at 7pm. When he walked in, he stared at her. His eyes were fixed upon Della and there was something in the way he looked at her that worried Della. Worried that he is displeased with her appearance, Della explained to him that she sold her hair “because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present.\" Jim seemed bewildered. A moment later after he snapped out of his trance, he embraced Della in his arms.

STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY Then pulled out a package from his coat and threw them on top of the table, telling Della to not make any more mistake such as what she had recently done just for Jim for he would still love her the same. However, he explained that Della would understand the reason why he reacted strangely upon seeing her earlier after she unwraps her gift. After opening the present, she cried out with joy, then bursted into tears. It was a set of expensive, fancy combs she had long been wanting.

STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY Della gave him his present, holding out the dull precious metal eagerly. Jim tumbled down the couch with a smile and asked Dtoeklleaep their presents for a while, explaining that he had sold his watch to buy hDeerllfaancy combs.



STORY ANALYSIS POINT OF VIEW: Limited Omniscient Third Point of View. CONFLICT: EXTERNAL: The couple are financially struggling. INTERNAL: Person against Circumstances – The couple struggles against poverty. Person against himself/herself – When Delia struggles about letting go of her only prized possession.

STORY ANALYSIS CLIMAX: The climax of the story was when Della opened her gift. We were able to understand why Jim was momentarily in shock upon seeing Della’s hair as he bought her set of combs as a present. SUSPENSE: How was Jim able to buy Della expensive combs? Where did he get money to buy them? When it was Della’s turn to give him the present—the watch chain. IRONY: The two main characters bought each other gifts that they cannot use despite those sacrifices.

STORY ANALYSIS THEMES: Sacrifice – Throughout the whole story Sacrifice played a big role in the couple’s life. It started with Della. She sold her hair even though it is a very precious thing for her and Jim. The same goes for Jim when he sold his gold watch just so he could have enough money to buy Della her present. Love – One would need as great love as Della has for Jim (vice versa) to be able to sacrifice such a precious thing. Although the sacrifices made were all in vain though as the gifts cannot be used, the two doesn’t think so. They know now that they would both sacrifice their most prized possession for each other. In the end, what they gave to

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