The Gift of the Magi

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The Gift of the Magi

• O. Henry

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Allusion

• A reference in one work of literature to a
  historical event, person, or another work of
  literature, often used to deepen the meaning of
  the story.
• According to Christian tradition, the Magi were
  three wise men or kings that presented gifts to
  the infant Jesus.
• Sometimes thought of as the first Christmas
  presents.
• Why is this an appropriate allusion for this
  story?

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Suspense

• Excitement or tension that readers feels as they
  become involved in a story.
• Readers become eager to know the outcome of the
  plot

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Foreshadowing (Review)

• The author gives little clues about what is going
  to happen in the story.
• Often, when you re-read a story, the
  foreshadowing is more apparent.

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Irony (Review)

• In general, irony is a form of contrasts
• 3 types
• Dramatic You know something that the characters
  do not
• Situational Something unexpected happens
• Verbal What is said is different than what is
  meant.
• Ex Outcome of the gifts

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Figurative Language

• Language that communicates ideas beyond the
  literal meaning of the words
• Simile
• Metaphor
• Personification
• Hyperbole

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Hyperbole

• Truth is exaggerated for a humorous effect
• Queen of Sheba and King Soloman would be jealous
  of Dellas hair and Jims watch

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Idiom

• A figure of speech
• bulldozing (p. 153) to cheat someone

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Personification

• Giving human-like qualities to inanimate objects
• P. 157 her heart had simply craved and yearned
  over them

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Metaphor

• Comparison between two unlike things that share
  similar qualities
• Comparison between Jim/Della and the Magi

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Simile

• Comparison between two things using like or
  as
• P. 154 description of Dellas hair
• rippling and shining like a cascade of brown
  waters