What genre is the gift of magi?

Short story

Fiction

The Gift of the Magi/Genres
Genre. While The Gift of the Magi certainly falls in the fictional short story genre, it employs what could be called a sub-genre of “dramatic irony.” Dramatic irony is where the reader learns a secret that the main character(s) don’t know about yet.

Is The Gift of the Magi a one act play?

Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi.” In this one-act play version is the timeless story of Della and Jim, a struggling young couple who seek to give the other the ideal Christmas gift.

Is The Gift of the Magi a folktale?

“Babushka’s Basket,” a Russian folk tale, tells the story of a bitter woman who is visited by one of the Wisemen and learns how to mend her broken heart by giving and forgiving. “The Gift of the Magi,” based on the classic O.

Is the Gift of Magi a literature?

The Gift of the Magi is a classic example of irony in literature. Irony is a literary technique in which an expectation of what is supposed to occur differs greatly from the actual outcome. In this case, Jim and Della sacrifice their most treasured possessions so that the other can fully enjoy his or her gift.

How long is Gift of the Magi play?

1 hour and 30 minutes
Running time is 1 hour and 30 minutes with one intermission.

Who are the characters of the Gift of the Magi?

The main characters in “The Gift of the Magi” are Della and Jim Dillingham Young. Della Dillingham Young is a young housewife. Though Della and her husband, Jim, are poor, Della still wants to buy him a nice gift, so she sells her beautiful hair to earn money.

Why is Della crying in the Gift of Magi?

At the beginning of the story Della was moping and crying because she only had ONE DOLLAR AND EIGHTY-TWO CENTS to use to buy her husband Jim a gift for Christmas, and it was Christmas Eve meaning she had very little time to think of something. 2) Which possessions do Della and Jim value most? Della valued her hair.

Why does O. Henry call his story The Gift of the Magi?

The title of the story refers to the three “wise men” or magi who are supposed to have come bringing precious gifts to present to Jesus at his birth. … Henry used this title because of the idea of precious gifts and the idea of wisdom that the title alludes to.

What is O. Henry’s real name?

William Sydney Porter (O. Henry) was born on a plantation in Greensboro, North Carolina on September 11, 1862.

What does coax a ring mean?

coax. influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging. In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring.

What does pier glass mean in The Gift of the Magi?

In “The Gift of the Magi,” the pier glass is a symbol for Della’s pride in her long, lustrous brown hair.

What does James’s watch signify to him?

Jim’s gold watch Symbol Analysis. Jim’s watch holds sentimental value for him as well, having been passed down from generation to generation. In this way, the watch represents Jim’s ties to the family he grew up in—the family he leaves in order to make a new family with Della.

What does mortal finger mean?

No letter would fit into the letterbox. (Maybe it was too small, or somehow broken.) The electric doorbell did not work. When you pressed the button it did not ring. “no mortal finger” is a colourful way of saying “nobody’s finger”.

What are two alliterations in The Gift of the Magi?

Alliteration that comes in threes: sobs, sniffles, smiles; sudden serious sweetness. Allusion to the Queen of Sheba known for giving three gifts to King Solomon.

How much was Della paid for her hair in today’s money how much would that be?

Too bad she only has $1.87. So, she decides to sell her hair to a woman who makes wigs and other hair articles. The woman pays Della $20 for her hair. The chain costs $21, so she now has enough money.

What does discreet scrutiny mean?

the act of examining something closely, as for mistakes. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction. inconsequential. lacking worth or importance.

What is the summary of the story The gift of Magi?

The story concerns James and Della Dillingham Young, a young couple who, despite their poverty, individually resolve to give each other an elegant gift on Christmas Eve. Della sells her beautiful long hair in order to buy a platinum fob chain for Jim’s antique gold watch.

What is the meaning of the word coax as it is used in the passage?

1 : to influence or gently urge by caressing or flattering : wheedle coaxed him into going. 2 : to draw, gain, or persuade by means of gentle urging or flattery unable to coax an answer out of him coaxing consumers to buy new cars.

What does parsimony mean in The gift of Magi?

parsimony: the quality or state of being stingy. If we substitute the definitions, the new phrase is “the silent accusation of stinginess.”

What does appertaining to mean?

to belong or
Definition of appertain

intransitive verb. : to belong or be connected as a rightful part or attribute : pertain. Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About appertain.

What is the irony in the gift of Magi?

In the “Gift of the Magi,” dramatic irony occurs when Della opens the gift from Jim, a set of tortoise shell combs, and briefly forgets that her hair isn’t long enough to wear them. Dramatic irony may also occur if a reader guesses in advance that Jim sold his watch to buy the coveted combs.