Transcript American History

“The Gift of the Magi”
by O. Henry
Page 349
2007 COS – 13
CCRS -AHSGE – R.IV.2
Literary Skills – Understand situational irony and the surprise ending
Alabama Reading Initiative – Vocabulary development; reading
comprehension
Reading Skills – Make predictions
The Gift of the Magi
Literary Focus: Situational Irony
Has a story ever surprised you? Have characters
ever done something you didn’t expect? Has a plot
ever taken a surprising twist or turn? If so, you’ve
experienced situational irony.
• Situational irony occurs when what happens
is different from what we expect.
• This type of irony reminds us that life is full of
surprise and uncertainty.
The Gift of the Magi
Literary Focus: Situational Irony
“The Gift of the Magi” contains a classic example
of a particular type of situational irony: the
surprise ending.
Whether you find the ending
of “The Gift of the Magi” to
be happy, sad, or
bittersweet, you will
probably find it satisfying.
The Gift of the Magi
Reading Skills: Making Predictions
We read because we are curious. A writer
sets up an intriguing situation, and we read on
because we want to know what happens.
As we read, we make guesses, or predictions,
about what will happen.
our understanding
of how stories work
Predictions
clues in the text
our own
experience of life
The Gift of the Magi
Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
instigates v.: urges on to some action, usually
negative, or sets something in motion; here, gives
rise to.
agile adj.: moving with ease.
depreciate v.: make something seem less
important; lower the value of.
cascade n.: waterfall.
ransacking v.: searching thoroughly.
The Gift of the Magi
Vocabulary
Previewing the Vocabulary
discreet adj.: showing good judgment in what
one says or does; especially being silent or careful.
scrutiny n.: close inspection.
nimble adj.: quickly moving.
coveted v. used as adj.: longed-for.
singed v. used as adj.: slightly burned.
The Gift of the Magi
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Activity
Fill in the blanks with the correct Word Bank words.
discreet
depreciate
ransacking
singed
scrutiny
ransacking the jewelry display.
1. The thieves left after ___________
2. The shoplifter tried to be ___________
but did not escape
discreet
scrutiny
the ___________
of the security guards.
singed
depreciate the value of a
3. Will a ___________
frame ___________
painting?
The Gift of the Magi
Quickwrite
Make the Connection
If you could save just one item from a disaster—a
fire, a flood, an earthquake—what would it be? (all
your family and pets are safe) In a few sentences,
describe your most cherished possession, and
explain why you treasure it. Was it a gift? If so,
how does that make it especially important to you?
The Gift of the Magi
Background
The Magi referred to in the
title of this story are the three
“wise men” who, according to
the Bible (Matthew 2:1–13),
brought gifts of frankincense
and myrrh (substances prized
for their fragrance) as well as
gold to the infant Jesus.
Traditionally the Magi’s gifts
are regarded as the first
Christmas presents.
While Reading
1. At the beginning of the story, what is
Della’s problem?
2. How does she attempt to solve her
problem?
3. What gift does Della buy Jim?
4. What gift does Jim buy Della?
5. Explain the irony of the story.
6. What is the real “gift” referred to in the
title? (Notice O.Henry uses the word gift,
not gifts.)
Activities
• What do you think this story, written a
century ago, has to say about our consumer
society today? Do you think some people
equate love with money? Consider
advertising, the amount of money we spend
on gifts, and the value placed on having
many possessions. In a paragraph of at least
½ page, explain your thoughts on these
questions.
• P. 357 Life Goes on (1/2 page)
• Complete crossword puzzle