O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi': A Study of Love and Sacrifice, Assignments of English Literature

Download O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi': A Study of Love and Sacrifice and more Assignments English Literature in PDF only on Docsity! Câu hỏi của thầy: 1/ why did O.Henry call his story “ The Gift of the Magi”? 2/ How was love between Jim and Della portrayed in the story? 3/ What techniques of writing were employed in the story? Analyze their effects? 4/ Analyze the last paragraph of the story. How does it help you understand the story Q1. Why did O.Henry call his story “The Gift of the Magi”? “The Gift of the Magi” is a title that encapsulates the essence of the story. This essay will explore the rationale behind O. Henry’s choice of title for his celebrated short story. O. Henry drew inspiration from the biblical Magi, who were wise men that brought gifts to the newborn Jesus. The Magi, despite their wisdom and wealth, brought gifts that were of little practical use to a newborn. Yet, these gifts were of immense symbolic value, representing honor, worship, and sacrifice. Similarly, in O. Henry’s story, Jim and Della, despite their poverty, are willing to give up their most prized possessions to buy meaningful gifts for each other. They recognize that the true value of a gift lies not in its material worth, but in the love and thought behind it. The title serves as a metaphorical nod to this central theme, reinforcing the narrative’s message about the true meaning of giving. It underscores the idea that the most valuable gift is one that comes from the heart, a sentiment that resonates throughout the story. The title, therefore, is not just a label, but a reflection of the story’s core message and a testament to the depth of Jim and Della’s love for each other. In conclusion, O. Henry’s choice of title for his story “The Gift of the Magi” is a powerful representation of the story’s central theme. It serves as a metaphorical echo of the selfless love and sacrifice that defines the relationship between Jim and Della, making it a fitting title for this timeless tale of love and giving. Essay 2: How was love between Jim and Della portrayed in the story? In “The Gift of the Magi”, O. Henry presents a touching portrayal of love between the protagonists, Jim and Della. This essay will explore how their love is depicted in the story. O. Henry shows us that Jim and Della’s love is very strong. They do not show their love by buying expensive gifts. Instead, they show their love by what they are willing to give up for each other. Even though they do not have a lot of money, they are willing to trade off one of their important “fortunes” to get a gift for each other. Della sells her beautiful hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch. This is a big sacrifice because Della takes great pride in her long, beautiful hair. It’s one of her most prized possessions. And Jim sells his precious watch to buy a set of combs for Della’s hair. Jim’s watch is a family heirloom and means a lot to him. These actions show us how much they love each other. The story reminds us that love is not about having a lot of things. It is about being willing to do anything to make the person you love happy. When Jim comes home and sees Della’s short hair, he is surprised at first. But he quickly tells her that his love for her does not depend on her long hair. This shows that Jim’s love for Della is not based on how she looks, but on who she is as a person. It is a powerful moment that shows the depth of their love. In the end, O. Henry’s story “The Gift of the Magi” shows us what true love looks like. It is a story that reminds us of the real meaning of love and giving. Their love is not about the gifts they give each other, but about the sacrifices they are willing to make. This is what makes their love so strong and special. The story is a beautiful reminder that the most valuable gifts are those that come from the heart. And that is exactly what Jim and Della give each other - gifts from the heart. 3/ What techniques of writing were employed in the story? Analyze their effects? “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is a masterful short story that employs a variety of writing techniques to enhance its narrative and deepen its themes. This essay will explore these techniques and analyze their effects on the story. Firstly, O. Henry uses irony to create unexpected twists in the story. For instance, the fact that Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair, is a prime example of situational irony. This ironic twist adds depth to the story and emphasizes the theme of sacrificial love. Besides, he uses metaphors and similes to create vivid imagery. For example, he describes Jim’s watch as “his gold watch that had been his father’s and his grandfather’s”. This metaphor not only helps us visualize the watch but also signifies its importance to Jim. Similarly, he uses a simile when he says Della’s hair is “like a Coney Island chorus girl”. This comparison helps the reader visualize Della’s hair and understand its significance. O. Henry also uses hyperbole, in other words, exaggeration, to emphasize certain points. For instance, when describing the couple’s poverty, he says, “Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one’s cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony”. This exaggeration highlights the extent of their financial struggles and makes their sacrifices even more poignant. In conclusion, O. Henry’s use of irony, metaphors, similes, and hyperbole in “The Gift of the Magi” enhances the narrative and deepens its themes. These techniques contribute to the story’s enduring appeal, making it a timeless tale of love and sacrifice. Through his masterful use of these writing techniques, O. Henry has crafted a story that serves as a timeless reminder of the true meaning of giving, making it a literary gem worth revisiting. Q4: The final paragraph of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" acts as a poignant capstone, revealing the profound meaning behind Della and Jim's seemingly foolish sacrifices. Through a clever comparison to the biblical Magi, the narrator elevates their actions from impulsive acts to demonstrations of the "true spirit of giving." The key to this transformation lies in the parallel drawn between the Magi and Della and Jim. The Magi, revered for their wisdom, brought precious gifts to the Christ disrespectful in cultures with stricter formality. For instance, a brochure with a college president in shorts and an old T-shirt jogging, which Americans might find appealing because it shows him as "just like anyone else." The future, change and progress ● Future Oriented: Unlike cultures focused on tradition, Americans value the future and believe it can be shaped by their actions. They set goals and actively work towards achieving them. Americans saying things like "History doesn't matter" and "It's the future that counts" to illustrate this focus. ● Belief in Progress: Americans have a strong belief in progress and improvement. They view "New things are better than old things" and strive to change and improve their physical and social environment. Give examples of Americans clearing lands, altering rivers, and even going to the moon as evidence of their belief in progress. ● Control Over Environment: Americans believe they can control and dominate their environment. The quote "If you want to be an American, you have to believe you can fix it" highlights this belief in control. ● Can-Do Attitude: Americans have a strong sense of personal power and believe they can make things happen. The saying "The difficult takes a while...The impossible takes a little longer" reflects this "can-do" attitude. Goodness of humanity ● Belief in Basic Goodness: Americans generally believe people are fundamentally good and can improve. This is seen in their emphasis on education for all ages (e.g., grandparents returning to school) and rehabilitation efforts (e.g., helping people recover from illness or criminal behavior). ● Voluntarism: Giving back through volunteer work is a core aspect of American society. For example, activities like volunteering in schools, parks, and libraries are good evidence for Ameriacan’s humanity. ● Educational Campaigns: Americans raise awareness about social problems through campaigns (e.g., anti-smoking campaigns) to encourage positive change. Time Time as a Resource: Americans view time as a limited resource to be used productively. Sayings like "time is money" in America emphasizes punctuality and having schedules. Americans admire those who are "well-organized" with to-do lists and planners. Contrast with Other Cultures: This focus on efficiency can clash with cultures that view time differently. The example of Edward T. Hall, an anthropologist, who found Native Americans thought Americans were "crazy" for being constantly rushed. Efficiency in Everyday Life: Efficiency is valued in all aspects of life. Examples include using email and text messages to save time communicating (e.g., students contacting professors) and the popularity of fast food like McDonalds where people want quick meals. Achievement, action, work, and materialism ● Value Achievement: Americans admire those who are successful and get things done. They value hard work (e.g., "hard worker") and achievement motivation. ● Work Ethic: Working hard is important, even outside of a job. In America, housewives, students, and volunteers are praised for hard work. ● Action Orientation: Americans value action and dislike idleness. They tend to be busy and plan for future activities. People find Americans "frenzied" and impatient because of this. ● Material Success: Job titles, income, and material possessions are used to measure success. For instance, a bank vice president is a respectable position but a bank president is more successful due to higher salary and ability to buy a bigger house, etc. Directness and assertiveness ● Direct Communication: Americans value frankness and directness in communication (e.g., "Let's lay our cards on the table" or "Let's stop playing games and get to the point"). They believe in open discussions to resolve conflicts. ● Assertiveness: Americans value assertiveness, but it can be seen as aggressive by others (e.g., some Asians). Levels of directness vary by personality and situation. Some Americans see as assertive can be seen as aggressive by others, particularly women. ● Limits to Openness: There are limitations to American openness. They may avoid direct discussions on sensitive topics (e.g., body odor) or when they don't know someone well or fear creating conflict (e.g., with close friends).. ● Regional Differences: Directness can vary by region. Easterners are known for being more blunt than Southerners.