"The Gift of the Magi" Response

  • Due No Due Date
  • Points 5
  • Submitting a text entry box or a file upload
  • Attempts 0
  • Allowed Attempts 2

STEP 1- O. Henry is known for big twists in his story. Read "The Gift of the Magi," by O. Henry. Links to an external site.

STEP 2- Copy the below questions into a Word doc, and type your response using a highlighter or different color 

 

  1. An ironic situation is one that turns out to be the opposite of what we—or the characters in the story— expect.  Describe the situational irony in the story.  

 

  1. List TWO topics from the story. 

 

  1. Identify and write one main theme (in one complete sentence). Theme is an insight about life, similar to a lesson, that anyone might relate to. Do not include characters' names in the theme.  This should be a COMPLETE sentence! For example, the following is a theme from A Christmas Carol:

              Happiness comes from giving to others, rather than being selfish.

Now think of one from "The Gift of the Magi."

      

 

  1. How is that theme developed throughout the story? Consider the plot (storyline) and how the characters change.

 

 

 5. What do you think this story, written a century ago, has to say about our consumer society today?  Do you think some people equate love with money? Consider advertising, the amount of money we spend on gifts, and the value placed on having many possessions.

 

 

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