Characters
I am the main character of the story. What is my full name?
Della Dillingham Young
With whom did Della bargain in order to save $1.87?
The butcher and the vegetable seller
Della visits Madame Sofronie to get her hair cut.
Which element of plot is this?
Rising Action
What is the setting of this story?
An old apartment in New York City during the early 1900s on Christmas Eve.
“So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.”
Which figurative language device is being used here?
Alliteration
What was the name of the place where Washington’s troops encamped in the winter of 1777?
Valley Forge
I am married to the main character. What is my full name?
James Dillingham Young
Why did Della cry?
She didn’t have enough money to get Jim a nice Christmas gift.
Della wants to figure out a way to get the perfect gift for Jim.
Which element of plot is this?
Conflict
What is the point of view of this story?
3rd Person Limited from Della’s point of view.
“’If Jim doesn't kill me,’ she said to herself, ‘before he takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl.’”
Which TWO figurative language devices are being used here?
Hyperbole and Simile
Which US state has the shortest Atlantic coastline, at only about 13 miles long?
New Hampshire
I am portrayed as brusque and to the point. Who am I?
Madame Sofronie
Why did Della say “Give it to me quick” to Madame Sofronie?
Della wanted Madame Sofronie to give the money to her fast before she changed her mind.
Della is introduced, and the apartment is described.
Which element of plot is this?
Exposition
This story is fiction. It also employs a sub-genre of a type of irony.
What is this sub-genre called?
This sub-genre is called “situational irony”. This is when the opposite of what the reader expects to happen, actually happens. It is often used for surprise endings.
“Jim stopped inside the door as immovable as a setter at the scent of a quail.”
What is emphasized with the simile in this excerpt from the story?
How shocked Jim is to discover that Della cut off her hair.
What are the five Great Lakes?
Superior, Huron, Erie, Michigan, Ontario
This king was mentioned in the story because of his wisdom and wealth.
What is his name?
King Solomon
How did Della make her short hair look better?
She curled her hair using curling irons heated over the stove.
Jim tells Della to put the chops on
Which element of plot is this?
Resolution
What is the tone of this story?
Sentimental, Emotional or Dramatic
“For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction.”
What does “inconsequential” mean?
It means “unimportant”.
Which Mexican dish’s name translates to "seasoned with chili"?
Enchilada
This queen was mentioned in the story as an example of someone who doesn’t gain happiness from her great wealth and many treasures.
What is her name?
The Queen of Sheba.
How did Jim react to Della’s haircut?
He was in complete and utter shock.
The couple exchanges gifts.
Which element of plot is this?
Climax
What is the theme of this story?
True love is worth more than what material possessions can provide.
“It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation—as all good things should do.”
What does “meretricious” mean?
It means “fake”.
What 3 word phrase is written on Martin Luther King's gravestone?
Free At Last