1. “The Gift of the Magi” pg. 287
By: O. Henry

2. Meet the Author (5 min) Please take out a piece of paper.
Date it, and title it “Meet the Author”
Read the info. on pg. 293
In your own words, list 5 interesting details you learned about O. Henry. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

3. Magi Background:
The Magi referred to in the title of the story are the three “wise men” who, according to the Bible brought gifts of frankincense and myrrh as well as gold to the infant Jesus. Traditionally, the Magi’s gifts are regarded as the first Christmas presents.
The title’s biblical reference is known as an allusion.
Copy down the following word and definition below your “Meet the author” work.
allusion: a reference to a person, a place, or an event from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, etc.

4. What is Irony?
Notes: Below your “allusion” definition, label your paper “What is Irony?”
Irony is about expectations.
Irony: the opposite of what is expected.
3 kinds of irony
Verbal
Dramatic
Situational

5. Verbal Irony A character says one thing but means the opposite
Also called sarcasm or being sarcastic.
Example:
Awesome! Another homework packet!

6. Dramatic Irony
When the reader understands more about the events of a story than a character.
You know a secret that a character doesn’t.
Example:
Tim’s parents are proud of the “A” he got on the test, but we know he cheated.

7. Situational Irony
When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected.
Something about the situation is completely unexpected.
Example:
Bill Gates uses an Apple computer.

8. Something that is ironic is unexpected.
Review
Something that is ironic is unexpected.
If unexpected by a character, it’s dramatic.
If unexpected by everyone, it’s situational.
If it’s sarcasm, it’s verbal.

9. Elbow Partner Activity (5 min)
On the back of your notes, draw a 3 column chart.
With an elbow partner, analyze a portion of the song lyrics “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette for irony.
Use a chart like the one
on the next slide.

10. “Ironic” Chart Quote from song lyrics: Type of Irony:
An old man turned ninety-eight He won the lottery and died the next day It's a black fly in your Chardonnay It's a death row pardon two minutes too late And isn't it ironic... don't you think Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye He waited his whole damn life to take that flight And as the plane crashed down he thought "Well isn't this nice..." And isn't it ironic... don't you think It's like rain on your wedding day It's a free ride when you've already paid It's the good advice that you just didn't take Who would've thought... it figures Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you When you think everything's okay and everything's going right And life has a funny way of helping you out when You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up In your face A traffic jam when you're already late A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife It's meeting the man of my dreams And then meeting his beautiful wife And isn't it ironic...don't you think A little too ironic...and, yeah, I really do think...
Quote from song lyrics:
Type of Irony:
Commentary (1-2 sentences)
“An old man turned ninety-eight, he won the lottery, and died the next day” (Morissette).
Situational irony
This is situational irony because it is unexpected that the old man died before he could enjoy his winnings.

11. “The Gift of the Magi” pgs
“The Gift of the Magi” pgs Identifying Situational Irony in the story.
Please take out a sheet of paper.
Title it “Situational Irony in ‘The Gift of the Magi’.”
Draw the Irony Map on the following slide.
While we read, follow along and fill out the Irony Map.

12. Irony Map Fill in the Irony Map below to understand how the story’s events create situational irony. Then, explain what the irony shows us about the characters. (10 min)
What Della sells:
What Jim sells:
What Della buys:
What Jim buys:
Why Della buys it:
Why Jim buys them:
What Della receives:
What Jim receives:
Situational Irony/Why the Gift is Useless:
What we learn about Della:
What we learn about Jim:

13. On the back of your Irony Map, label it “Surprise Ending.”
The author O. Henry specialized in a particular type of ironic situation: the surprise ending.
Respond to the following question following the provided format:
What is your reaction to O. Henry’s surprise ending? Did you enjoy this ironic ending, or does it seem like a trick played on the reader? Explain your response.
The ending to “The Gift of Magi” is __________ because _________. For
example, ______________. Also, __________________. This means
____________________________.

14. Point of View Review: Below your “Surprise Ending” response, label your paper P.O.V. and respond to the following question using the provided format:
What point of view (1st person, 3rd person limited, 3rd person omniscient) is “The Gift of the Magi” told in?
The story “The Gift of the Magi is told in _____________. For example, ________________. This means, ____________. This matters, because______________

15. Ambiguity
A few spaces below, your “P.O.V.” response, title it “Ambiguity Practice.”
Copy down the following definition:
Ambiguity: An element of uncertainty in a text, in which something can be interpreted in a number of different ways.
For example, if you and a friend have completely different ideas about an ambiguous character or the ambiguous meaning of a story or poem, you both might be “right.” There is no single way to interpret an ambiguous story or poem.

16. Ambiguity Practice:
You will now read a short poem titled “The Sick Rose” by William Blake.
This poem is ambiguous, because many of the lines can have more than one meaning.
Copy down the “Whole to Parts” map on the following slide.
Use this format to break down what you think the meaning of the poem is.
Then when finished, respond to the question below the “Whole to Parts” map using the provided format.
Remember, you are breaking down the poem and interpreting what YOU think it means. There are no wrong answers.

17. Ambiguity Whole to Parts Map:
This is talking about…
“The invisible worm that flies in the night” (2-3).
“The Sick Rose”
“O Rose thou art sick. The invisible worm, That flies in the night In the howling storm: Has found out thy bed Of crimson joy; And his dark secret love Does thy life destroy”
William Blake
Also, this could mean…
“ line from poem” (line number (s) )
Breakdown of what you think the line (s) of the poem mean.
After completing the Brace Map, explain using the format provided,
how this poem is ambiguous.
The poem is ambiguous, because _____________________. For example, the line “______________” ( ) could mean ________________. Or, the line could mean _________________. This means that _______________________.

18. Vocabulary On a separate sheet of paper, title it “The Gift of the Magi” Vocab Practice
Instigates: gives rise to
Agile: moving with ease
Depreciate: lower the value of
Cascade: waterfall
Ransacking: searching thoroughly
Discreet: especially being silent or careful
Scrutiny: close inspection
Nimble: quickly moving
Coveted: longed-for
Singed: lightly burned
Next, write a complete summary of the story using at least 7 of the vocabulary terms listed on the left-hand side.
Underline or highlight the vocabulary words you used.
1st: Answer in complete sentences 1-10 on page 296 in textbook.