“The Gift of the Magi” by O’Henry A Close Reading Analysis

What is Close Reading? It is a careful and purposeful reading…

We focus on… What the author had to say What the author’s purpose was What the words mean What the structure of the text tells readers

Background Information Author Allusion Irony

O’ Henry 66yE4A 66yE4A O. Henry, whose real name was William Sydney Porter, grew up in North Carolina but moved to Texas when he was twenty. Accused of stealing a thousand dollars from the bank where he worked, he fled to Central America. However, news of his wife’s illness brought him back. On his return, he was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison. Ironically, if Porter had not fled, he might have been found innocent: The loss of the money may have been due to poor bank management, not theft. In prison, Porter wrote more than a dozen stories and absorbed the underworld lore he used in his fiction. In 1901, he left prison and went to New York, where he continued to write. He wrote more than six hundred stories altogether.

Allusion HCVY HCVY The Magi referred to in the title of this story are the “three wise men” who, according to the Christian Bible (Matthew 2:1–13), brought gifts of frankincense and myrrh (substances prized for their fragrances), as well as gold to the infant Jesus. Traditionally, the Magi’s gifts are regarded as the first Christmas presents.

Irony Irony (n): the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Verbal irony is usually referred to as sarcasm Situational irony refers to actions of someone based on an expectation that lead directly to the outcome they wish to avoid Dramatic irony is when the reader or audience is let in on a fact that is unknown to most of the characters Cosmic irony basically blames the gods or fate for having a hand in our struggles Historical irony juxtaposition between a historical event and what has happened since to contradict Socratic irony is feigning ignorance in order to get a certain reaction or answer out of someone

Let’s read…. Wise men

Page 1 highlight

Page 1 notes She saved cents - frugal Upset - emotional Suggests small business in the city Time period Apartment – small cost compared to present time indicating past Wall of mail boxes Call button to be let into apartment; “no mortal” indicates it no longer works homeless Happening more often Act of feeling guilty; unwillingness to spend Squad that rounds up the homeless Hall entry

Page 1 notes

proud Emotional; wants to gain composure Money/ work suggests time period past Time period Repetition of “gray”- bland; mundane Little money High income apartment Frugal; hard working Thinks of others

POV 3 rd person omniscient Highlight any evidence that tells you about the time period and season.  Christmas  City  past How would you characterize… Jim: proud Della: frugal, emotional, giving

Let’s read page 2 This is how I highlighted Discuss and add notes

Read page 3, highlight, write in the margin