Gift of the Magi

The exchange of gifts between Jim and Della is the ______.

• exposition

• rising action

• climax

• resolution

When we as readers are called upon to think about the sacrifices that Jim and Della make for each other, this is the ______.

• falling action

• climax

• resolution

• point of view

Name the conflict: Della is conflicted because she knows she could get good money for her hair. 

• Man vs. Society

• Man vs. Man

• Man vs. Self

When Jim and Della realize the full extent of what they have done, they try to make the ____________ of it.

• Best

• Worst

• Nothing

O. Henry’s biblical allusion to the Magi elevates a poor couple’s dilemma about buying Christmas gifts for each other to the level of the New Testament story of the Wise Men. This short story is about two young lovers who sacrifice their most prized possessions; it is a classic example of ________.

• Irony

• Flashback

• Understatement

• Juxtapositioning

The theme of this story is that Jim and Della’s love for each other is much more valuable than any _______.

• Material Gift

• Expensive Dinner

• Person's Opinion

• Verbal Expressions of Love

What do the actions of both character’s reveal about them?

• They wish they were rich.

• They value extravagant gifts.

• They do not think ordinary gifts are good enough.

• They want to give a gift as valuable as they think their spouse is.

What does the narrator mean when they say after Della sold her hair, “Two hours ‘tripped by on rosy wings?”

• She was worried

• She felt very unhappy

• She had ups and downs

• She was not thinking clearly

“There was nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl.” This quotation shows Della’s sense of __________.

• Grief

• Anger

• Helplessness

• Responsibility

“Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window … just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels and gifts.” This biblical reference alludes to a famous ancient Arabian monarch known for her wealth and beauty. The purpose of this comparison is to show how _____ Della’s hair is.

• Long

• Shiny

• Blond

• Magnificent