The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry Introducing the Story Literary Skills Focus: Situational Irony Reading Skills Focus: Analyzing Details Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer Feature Menu

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry What kinds of sacrifices would you make for a person who mattered to you?

Click on the title to start the video. The Gift of the Magi Introducing the Story

They have each other, but Della and Jim don’t have much more than that. Still, it’s Christmas, and each wants the best for the other. How much will each one give to make sure that the other will have a very merry Christmas? [End of Section]

The Gift of the Magi Literary Skills Focus: Situational Irony Situational irony occurs when our expectations are contradicted by reality. We believe that one thing will happen, but something entirely different occurs. Situational irony is essential to the meaning of “The Gift of the Magi.”

What is the situational irony in this passage? Dave was thrilled—he’d just won his first victory as a professional race car driver. He’d been amazing on the track, reaching incredible speeds and carefully avoiding the various wrecks that had taken other drivers out of the race. He couldn’t wait to tell his family about his triumph. He was reliving his masterful driving as he pulled into the driveway ─ and hit the family car. What do you expect to happen when a professional driver parks a car? Does Dave’s situation match your expectations? The Gift of the Magi Literary Skills Focus: Situational Irony

Situational irony occurs when your expectation is contradicted by Dave’s unfortunate reality. Expectation: Dave won a difficult race; he must be a skilled driver. Reality: Maybe he’s not so skilled ─ judging by the looks of the family car, anyway. The Gift of the Magi Literary Skills Focus: Situational Irony

As you read “The Gift of the Magi,” consider your expectations about what will occur. Compare those expectations to what happens. [End of Section] The story you’re about to read is one of literature’s most famous examples of situational irony. Now there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim’s gold watch that had been his father’s and his grandfather’s. The other was Della’s hair. The Gift of the Magi Literary Skills Focus: Situational Irony

The Gift of the Magi Reading Skills Focus: Analyzing Details Writers use details to share information about characters, settings, and events. These details bring stories to life, often showing more than they tell. The little house sat on a patch of neatly clipped grass, punctuated by a lovingly tended rose bush. Its front walk, freshly swept and bordered by petunias, led to the crumbling sidewalk that separated the yard from the trash-strewn gutter. Details about setting show that the residents seem to take pride in their home. Other details indicate that the neighborhood may be neglected and run-down. The little house sat on a patch of neatly clipped grass, punctuated by a lovingly tended rose bush. Its front walk, freshly swept and bordered by petunias, led to the crumbling sidewalk that separated the yard from the trash-strewn gutter.

Into Action: Use a chart to record details, their locations in the story, and their significance. The Gift of the Magi Reading Skills Focus: Analyzing Details [End of Section] Into Action: Detail Chart Story Details Significance Sixty cents of Della’s $1.87 is in pennies. emphasizes how difficult it is for her to save money. Letters won’t “go” into their letter box.

Find It in Your Reading The Gift of the Magi Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer O. Henry’s third-person narrator makes his or her presence known in telling this story. As you read, note places where the narrator directly addresses the reader or offers commentary. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous task, dear friends—a mammoth task. [End of Section]

Vocabulary

scrutiny n.: close inspection. coveted v. used as adj.: longed for. prudence n.: caution; good judgment. agile adj.: moving with ease. The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary ardent adj.: passionate; extremely enthusiastic.

The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary The word agile can be used to describe a person’s physical as well as mental abilities. The dancer had to be very agile, which required hours of practice. Each person moves with ease. The 90-year-old chess master was more agile than most opponents.

The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary Which of these houses of cards appears to have been constructed by the more agile person?

The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary The solid construction of the house on the right suggests that its builder was agile, demonstrating great ease of movement.

The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary A person who shows prudence is careful and cautious. Which of these children shows more prudence?

The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary The child on the left, with his many life jackets, shows more prudence. The boy on the right is less safety-conscious.

The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary The FBI’s background checks involve high levels of scrutiny: Investigators take a very close look at each job candidate. Why might intense scrutiny of employees be needed in organizations that handle secret materials?

The politician felt that the reporter was unfair in her scrutiny of his background. Which word would be the best replacement for scrutiny? a. ignorance b. criticism c. examination The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary

The politician felt that the reporter was unfair in her scrutiny of his background. Which word would be the best replacement for scrutiny? a. ignorance b. criticism c. examination The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary

The word coveted describes something that is greatly desired but often not easily attained. Though his award- winning cookies were coveted by many people, he baked them only for a select few. Of all the gifts you’ve ever received, which was most coveted? Why? The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary

Jessica owned what other students considered the world’s most coveted clothing. Which of the following most likely describes the contents of her closet? a. outdated clothes b. stylish clothes c. boring clothes The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary

Jessica owned what other students considered the world’s most coveted clothing. Which of the following most likely describes the contents of her closet? a. outdated clothes b. stylish clothes c. boring clothes

Ardent comes from a word that originally meant to burn. Now, ardent is used in a figurative sense, describing a feeling of “burning” enthusiasm. What topics, beliefs, or activities seem to trigger ardent feelings among teens? The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary

Andrea had ardent beliefs about freedom of speech and freedom of the press. How is she likely to react if her column in the school newspaper is censored? a. She’s likely to apologize. b. She’s likely to remain calm. c. She’s likely to protest angrily. The Gift of the Magi Vocabulary

Andrea had ardent beliefs about freedom of speech and freedom of the press. How is she likely to react if her column in the school newspaper is censored? a. She’s likely to apologize. b. She’s likely to remain calm. c. She’s likely to protest angrily.

The End

QuickWrite

The Gift of the Magi QuickWrite Think about stories, movies, or real-life events in which people make sacrifices for their families, friends, or even their countries. What motivates people to make such sacrifices? Write down your thoughts. [End of Section]

Meet the Writer

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. The Gift of the Magi Meet the Writer

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. The Gift of the Magi Meet the Writer More About the Writer [End of Section]

Build Background

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. The Gift of the Magi Build Background Traditionally, the Magi’s gifts are regarded as the first Christmas presents. [End of Section]

Preview the Selection

Della and Jim, the main characters in this story, have little money, but they do have two prized possessions—and their love for each other. The Gift of the Magi Preview the Selection [End of Section]