Who are the two main characters in The Gift of the Magi and what do they look like?
In “The Gift of the Magi” the major characters are Jim and Della, and Madame Sofronie as a minor character. The author uses indirect characterization. This is when the reader uses clues that are given to figure out information about the character.
How is the ending of the Gift of the Magi ironic?
The ending of the story is ironic because you would expect that Jim would have his watch and chain and the story would end. What really happened was Jim sold his watch to but combs for Della’s hair, and Della sold her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch. They both ended up with nothing to use with their new gift.
What did Della buy for Jim as a Christmas gift How much money did she pay for it?
Plot. On Christmas Eve, Della Young discovers that she has only $1.87 to buy a present for her husband Jim. She visits the nearby shop of a hairdresser, Madame Sofronie, who buys Della’s long hair for $20. Della then uses the money to buy a platinum pocket watch chain for Jim.
What is the biblical meaning of magi?
wise men and kings
Why did Jim and Della sell their most valuable items?
Della and Jim sell valuable things to get money to buy gifts for each other, because they are poor. Both Della and Jim give up valuable possessions so they can buy Christmas gifts for each other. Della and Jim were wise because they were willing to make sacrifices to show their love for each other.
What is the climax of Gift of the Magi?
The climax is when they both get the gifts that they bought for one another. The falling action is when they both put away their gifts, celebrate Christmas together, and eat. The rising action is when Della has $1.87 to buy Jim a Christmas present.
What does the word Magi mean?
Magi is a term, used since at least the 6th century BC, to denote followers of Mazdaism or Zoroaster. The earliest known usage of the word Magi is in the trilingual inscription written by Darius the Great, known as the Behistun Inscription. This pejorative meaning survives in the words “magic” and “magician”.
Why does della sell her hair?
Della sold her hair to buy Jim a pocket watch chain. Della believes that Jim’s reaction means that he does not like her hair cut, he does not think she is beautiful anymore, and he will no longer love her. In reality, he was just surprised because it made his present for her worthless.
What kind of gift does della wish to give Jim?
Explanation: In the story “The Gift of the Magi” Della wanted to purchase a watch bob for her husband Jim. Della thought that Jim looked very nice and prominent with his watch and wanted him to have a nice platinum fob chain. Della only has a dollar and eighty-seven cents.
How will you relate the story to the account of the three Magi?
The magi are also well-known as the Three Wise Men. According to the story of the magi, these men traveled far and long in order to find Jesus and give their gifts to Him. However, the gifts and the long journey were great sacrifices for these three men. They symbolized the deep love they had for Jesus.
What are the two valuable possessions belonging to Della and Jim?
Hover for more information. Jim’s most valued possession was his watch, and Della’s was her hair. Jim and Della were a young couple who loved each other very much, but were not wealthy.
What is the most interesting part of the story The Gift of Magi?
The story is thus interesting because it is a reminder that gifts alone do not convey love to the people closest to us. At the end of the story, Della owns combs but has no hair to put them in; her husband has a gold watch chain but no watch to put it on.
What was special about Della’s hair?
Della Young’s hair symbolizes her feminine beauty and sensuality. She clearly considers it her most prized possession. It is very long, hanging down past her knees.
What does Della do for extra money?
What does Della do for extra money? How much does she receive? She cuts her long beautiful hair and gets 20 dollars.
What type of irony is in the gift of the Magi?
situational irony
What were Jim and Della’s most precious possessions?
Jim’s most valued possession was his watch, and Della’s was her hair. Jim and Della were a young couple who loved each other very much, but were not wealthy. What they did have they valued highly. Jim placed great importance on a gold watch that had been passed down through the family for generations.
Why is the title Gift of Magi?
The title of the story”The Gift of Magi” is symbolic to the biblical reference to the three wise men or magi, who were present at the birth of baby Jesus so they could give their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and myrrh to the Baby Jesus. Henry provides us with enough symbols to make it evident.
What is ironic about Della’s gift to Jim?
This is ironic because Della has cut off all her hair and sold it to buy Jim a gift. Della gave up her prized possession, her long hair, to buy a fob chain for Jim’s watch. Jim gave up his prized possession, his gold watch, to buy combs for Della’s hair. NEITHER ONE OF THEM CAN USE THEIR CHRISTMAS GIFTS.