1. The Gift of the Magi

2. Author Origin of Title O. Henry Wise men, or magi, brought gifts to the baby Jesus and so invented the giving of Christmas gifts

3. O.Henry Writing Style Overview of Story Humorous tone, realistic detail, and a surprise endingHumorous tone, realistic detail, and a surprise ending Delia and Jim Young are a young married couple with very little money They are both trying to save money so they can buy Christmas gifts for one another What will they sacrifice in order to buy their spouse a fantastic gift?

4. Characters –Jim Young Jim, is a thin, serious young man, twenty- two years old. He works hard, not returning home until seven o'clock, and is reliable:

5. Delia YoungHas long beautiful hair and has saved $1.87 to buy her husband a gift

6. Themes and Conflicts Value of Love Faulty Value of Money Faulty Value of Material Items Wisdom and Growth Sacrifice and Generosity Unselfishness

7. Style Setting Mood Irony New York. The setting helps emphasize the couple being poor. They have a "shabby little couch," and a “dismal view” Dark and unsettling. The mood is used to emphasize how poor and desperate this couple has become When the couple loses everything that is important to them, they realize it really doesn’t matter