Questions:
1. There was clearly nothing left to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.
What statement about life is O’Henry making here?
2. White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper. And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat.
Rewrite this paragraph in your own words:
3. What are the couples’ most cherished possessions?
4. What is the central problem in this story?
5. Is that problem resolved? If so, how? If not, why not?
6. The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men-who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that 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 is O’Henry saying in his conclusion?
7. Were Jim and Dell’s presents good presents? Why or why not?
Challenge Questions:
1. What did the magi bring “to the Babe in the manger”?
2. Identify four instances of patriarchal language in the story.
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