Flashcards: Gift of the Magi
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Created by:
clairewood2 on September 25, 2010
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Description:
analysis of Gift of the Magi by O'Henry
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Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 instigate | to stir up, provoke |
| assertion | statement |
| ravages | serious damage |
| imputation of parsimony | suggestion of stinginess |
| medicancy squad | police unit assigned to arrest beggars |
| metricious ornamentation | cheap, guady decoration |
| patent | obviously |
| coveted | greedily desired or wished for |
| Describe the setting. | poor flat owned by a couple. Time-day before christmas. |
| What is the main conflict? | della wants to buy Jim something for Christmas but she only has $1.87 |
| What is the climax? | the climax is when Della gives Jim the watch chain, only to discover he sold his watch as she sold her hair. |
| What is the resolution? | the narrator compares the couple to the Magi |
| What is literary device is used in the title? | allusion; alluding to the Magi; biblical allusion; the allusion is in the word 'Magi' |
| What is the hook? | only $1.87 and next day is Christmas |
| Analyze "He enfolded his Della." | enfolded-embraced; says "his Della" because it's his wife, HIS love, just like HER Jim. |
| What does "For 10 secconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction" mean? | It is saying that we should look the other way for 10 seconds to let them hug and have their little moment. |
| What do Jim and Della have? | self-sacrificial love |
| What is the POV? | 3rd Person Limited through Della |
| Why is the POV important? | the reader doesn't know what Jim has, keeping the combs for a surprise at the end |
| Why is "The Combs" capitalized? | because they are "THE COMBS" Della has been wanting, just like The Watch was capitalized |
| Analyze this statement: "Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands behind his head and smiled." | Jim is completely relaxed, which is why he tumbles on to the couch, smiles, and puts his hands behind his head. |
| What is the gift of the Magi? | the "gift" is self-sacrificial, generous love; don't need material things |
| What is the theme? | not all about stuff, just need each other (the love) |
| Why does O'Henry write "Her Jim?" | because Jim is really special to Della |
| What is Della's most valuable possession? | Her hair |
| What does "Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the air shaft, Della would have let her hair hang out of the window some day to dry and mocked at Her Majesty's jewels and gifts" mean? | It shows that Della's hair is far better than any jewels and gifts the Queen of Sheba owned |
| What does this statement mean? "Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy." | It means that Jim's watch is equal to King Solomon's jewels. |
| What does the capitalization of The Watch show? | it's important |
| "When Della reached home, her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason." What does this mean? | When Della gets home, her happiness of buying Jim the perfect gift dies down and she actually starts to use common sense and think. She isn't drunk. She's just reallllly happy. |
| "Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of a quail." Analyze this. | Jim walks in, realizes Della cut her hair, and then freezes. "as immovable as a setter at the scent of a quail" is a simile showing how dumbfounded he is. |
| What is the situational irony in this literature? | They both sold their prize possession to get something for the other's prize possession. |