Understanding Characters and Suspense

"Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair."

What does the audience know about the characters’ prized possessions from this excerpt?

• Jim and Della have plenty of money to replace their possessions.

• Jim’s watch and Della’s hair are meaningful but not very valuable.

• Jim’s watch and Della’s hair are their most cherished and valuable possessions.

• Neither Jim nor Della cares much about their possessions.

"She stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present."

What detail in this excerpt creates suspense for the audience?

• Della has no interest in buying Jim a gift.

• Della’s limited money might prevent her from finding a meaningful gift for Jim.

• Della is planning to ask Jim for money.

• The story does not mention Della’s financial situation.

"‘Will you buy my hair?’ asked Della."

What effect does Della’s decision to sell her hair have on the audience?

• It creates humor because her hair isn’t valuable.

• It creates suspense because the audience wonders if Jim will approve.

• It resolves the conflict because Della gets enough money for a gift.

• It creates confusion because selling hair seems unrealistic.

"Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her."

How does this moment contribute to suspense?

• The audience knows Jim is upset, but Della does not.

• The audience knows what Jim is thinking, but Della does not.

• Both the audience and Della know Jim’s exact reaction.

• Neither the audience nor Della knows Jim’s reaction.

"‘You've cut oC your hair?’ asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor."

What effect does Jim’s reaction have on the tone of this scene?

• It lightens the mood with humor.

• It adds tension by revealing Jim’s anger.

• It resolves the conflict with happiness.

• It creates despair because Jim is heartbroken.

"‘I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs,’ said Jim."

Why is this moment an example of dramatic irony?

• Jim knew about Della’s plan to sell her hair.

• The audience did not know Jim’s watch was valuable.

• The audience knows Jim sold his watch before Della does.

• Della and the audience are equally surprised by Jim’s confession.

"‘Don’t make any mistake, Dell,’ he said, ‘about me. I don’t think there’s anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.’"

How does Jim’s statement affect the story’s tone?

• It creates suspense because Della wonders if he’s lying.

• It lightens the mood with reassurance and humor.

• It builds tension because Jim is angry with Della.

• It adds confusion about Jim’s true feelings.

"Of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi."

What effect does the author’s comparison to the Magi have on the audience?

• It explains why Jim and Della are foolish for selling their treasures.

• It adds humor by comparing their small gifts to grand gestures.

• It provides a resolution by emphasizing the wisdom of their sacrifices.

• It creates suspense by suggesting the story is unfinished.