Reading Comprehension The Gift of the Magi

At the beginning of “The Gift of the Magi” readers learn that Della counts her savings three times and “the next day would be Christmas. There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it”. Why is she howling?

• Della will not be able to go home and see her family for Christmas.

• Della has only $1.87 to buy her husband a gift.

• Della hates her shabby apartment and shabby furniture.

After Della’s inspiration but before readers know what it is, she “nervously” puts her hair back up and then “faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet”. Why?

• She is remembering the scrimping and deprivation she suffered to save just $1.87.

• She just is not sure that she can sell her hair for enough money.

• She is going to have to make a great sacrifice to carry out her scheme.

The relationship between wife Della and husband Jim is best described as:

• Loving and supportive, no question about it.

• Blazing how with quarrels quickly made up

• Prickly because of limited income but basically loving.

At the end of the story, O. Henry define the Magi as:

• Three Kings who accepted gifts from King Herod

• People who give and receive gifts unselfishly.

• Jim and Della, two foolish but loving children living in a flat

Della’s most prized, most valuable possession is:

• Her long brown hair

• Her mother’s watch

• Her jewelry

How does the setting of the short story contribute to the theme?

• The shabby $8 per week apartment is unimportant although the reduction of Jim’s salary form $30 each week to $20 each week is why the young couple has no Christmas savings.

• The shabby $8 per week apartment and Jim’s incompetence (remember his salary’s been cut by one third!) emphasize Della’s loyalty and love.

• The sacrifice the young husband and wife make in the name of love and marriage are emphasized by their poverty, as revealed by the shabby apartment and reduced salary.

Many of O. Henry’s stories have surprise endings. In “The Gift of the Magi” the surprise ending uses situational irony, specifically an ending that is:

• Unexplained and mysterious

• Totally unexpected

• Very predictable

“The Gift of the Magi” also features dramatic irony, which comes from:

• The reader knowing the situation before Della realizes what happened.

• Della’s dramatic personality.

• The reader’s sympathy for Della and Jim.

Of the following choices, which is O. Henry’s surprise ending for “The Gift of the Magi”?

• That Jim loves Della just the way she is, with or without long air.

• That Della is pregnant

• That Jim has sold his watch.

How are the sacrifices of Jim and Della ironic?

• Both spouses made sacrifices, but Jim sacrificed more than Della because her hair will grow back and his watch won’t.

• Each spouse sacrificed the most prized possession to give the other a gift.

• Sacrificing something for marriage is useless because so many marriages end in divorce and bitterness