Critical Lens
What is the main lens we applied when reading this story
Formalist/Structuralist lens
Della
“I buy hair,” said Mrs. Sofronie. “Take your hat off and let me look at it." Down fell the brown waterfall.
Metaphor
What kind of connection is the storys allusion to the magi.
Text-to-religion (the three wise men who brought gifts for jesus)
What does the formalist lens look at
- the text itself without outside context
- literary devices
- Form & Structure
- Elements of fiction (plot, conflict, character)
“Mr. James Dillingham Young.” is another name for..
Jim
Jim & Della being called the magi
Allusion
how can Dellas struggle to afford christmas gifts despite saving for months reflect modern struggles. What kind of connection is this?
- inflation of gas & groceries
- text-to-world
- Conflict theory/marxism
The magi
The wise men
Della, who sold her precious hair to get Jim a gold chain for his valuable watch, finding out Jim sold his watch to get Della a comb for her precious hair
Situational Irony
How can Della and Jims choice to selflessly sacrifice something precious to them for the other person connect to sacrifices loved ones make for us/we make for loved ones.
- sacrificing time, money, job/career
What are the disadvantages of this lens regarding The Gift of the Magi
- Disregards the economic and historic context which can offer further insight into the characters behaviours, actions and beliefs.
- Cannot account for the various biblical allusions
- story is reduced to paradoxical nature and irony
Described as large, white & cold-eyed -- buys the main characters hair
Mrs. Sofronie / Hair Articles shop owner
$1.87
Repetition
Known for being intrusive...random
Narrator