Key Details
How much money did Della manage to save?
$1.87
What gift does Jim give Della, and what does Della give Jim?
combs for her long hair and a platinum fob chain for his pocket watch
Which best replaces "AGILE" as used in the following:
"A very thin and very AGILE person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks"
Options: A) Slender, B) Plain, C) Vigilant, D) Swift
moving with ease/quick/swift
What is the resolution?
Della and Jim put their gifts aside and enjoy their time together.
What is the setting?
a flat in New York at Christmas
Where did Jim get the money to buy the combs?
He sold his prized possession, his watch, to buy the combs.
What does it say about Della that Jim needed a new overcoat and had no gloves, but she bought him a watch chain?
She loved him and didn't want him to have to sneak looks at his nice watch because he had an old leather strap attached to it instead of a nice chain.
Pick one or two words that best replace the term CASCADE as used in the text: "So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her, rippling and shining like a CASCADE of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her."
a waterfall or a series of small waterfalls over steep rocks
What is the exposition?
Jim and Della are a married couple, and Della is struggling to find money for a gift.
Who are the "magi" in the story?
Della and Jim
The narrator says, "Poor fellow, [Jim] was only twenty-two-and to be burdened with a family! What does that mean?
Della must be pregnant, and Jim may not know it yet.
Explain the significance of Jim's most valued possession.
his gold watch had been passed down from his grandfather to his father and now to him
Determine the meaning of the term "INSTIGATE" as used in the following: "There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which INSTIGATES the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating."
Options A) Argues B) Urges C) Conveys D) Destroys
to initiate or bring about; to urge on (option B)
Della tries to get money for Jim's gift by selling her hair.
Who are the actual Magi?
the 3 wisemen referenced from the Bible
Why is Jim upset about Della's short hair when he comes home?
He knows she can't use the gift he bought her.
What is Jim's response when Della asks if he still loves her?
He says that it would take more than a haircut, shave, or shampoo to make him lover her any less.
Determine the meaning of the term "DEPRECIATE" as used in the following:
"Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to DEPRECIATE Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. "
Options: A) Promote B) Appreciate C) Lessen D) Accuse
to lessen the price or value of something
What is the climax?
Jim comes home to see Della with her new short haircut.
Why were Jim and Della's gift considered wise?
they were given out of love and sacrifice
Before Jim enters the apartment, what does Della pray for?
"Please God, make him think I'm still pretty."
What is ironic about the plot?
Della and Jim sold their most prized possessions to buy gifts that can't be used.
Determine the best synonym for the term "CHASTE" as used in the following:
"There was no other like it in any of the stores, and she had turned all of them inside out. 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."
Options: A) Ornate B) Peculiar C) Ordinary D) Plain
simple; not fancy
Name a piece of the falling action.
Della and Jim show each other their Christmas gifts.
Name an allusion is in this story?
Magi (wisemen), Christmas, Queen of Sheba, King Solomon, hairs on my head numbered, Coney Island, etc.