1. Analyzing irony for constructed response
The Gift of the Magi
Analyzing irony for constructed response

2. What he actually means is that they simply cannot use them at present
Verbal Irony
Example: At the end when Jim states, “They're too nice to use just at present.”
What he actually means is that they simply cannot use them at present
The narrator calls Jim and Della “foolish children” and then “wise”

3. Dramatic irony
Dramatic irony only applies here if the reader guesses that Jim has sol d the watch to buy the combs before it is revealed In this case, the reader would know an event that Della does not know

4. Situational irony
Example:
Jim has sold his prized possession (his pocket watch) to buy Della expensive combs for her long hair that is now gone
Della has sold her prized possession (her hair) to buy Jim a fob chain for a pocket watch that he has sold

5. Authors use irony to add an element of humor into their works
The effect of irony
Authors use irony to add an element of humor into their works
to emphasize the moral (theme) of a story
to make an audience ponder the underlying meaning of what a character said

6. The effect of Irony in “the gift of the magi”
The irony that Henry presents in his short story teaches the reader about sacrifice and love
Therefore, in this case, irony is a device the author uses to emphasize the theme.