Gift of the Magi
Why is Della panicking at the beginning of the story?
She wants to buy a nice gift for Jim but doesn't have enough money
What is the Scarlet Ibis the story is named for?
A bird from the tropics that has flown too far north and dies in the brothers' yard
Who is Tiny Tim and what's wrong with him?
Bob Cratchit's son; he is crippled and sick
What is the meaning of "specter"?
A ghost
Someone writing the story of someone else's life
Biography
What is Della worried about after she buys the gift for Jim?
She thinks he might not like that she cut her hair / loves her only for her hair
What is Doodle's real name? Why didn't they continue to call him that original name?
William Armstrong; because it was a name that looked good only on a tombstone
Who was Scrooge's old business partner that died a year ago?
Jacob Marley
Word meaning "purposeful; unwavering"
Resolute
What is a Personal Essay?
Writing about a specific event in your life
Who are the Magi?
The three wise men from the story of Bethlehem (carrying gifts)
Why did Brother feel guilty after everyone in the family congratulated him on teaching Doodle to walk?
He only did so for his own benefit; wanted a brother to compete and play with
Which of the ghosts is a giant dressed in a green robe?
Ghost of Christmas Present
What is the meaning of the word "unhallowed"?
Unholy; wicked
A conversation between two people where questions are asked and answered on a specific topic
Interview
What is Jim's reaction when he walks into the home and sees Della?
He's quiet; he's shocked
How does Doodle die?
What two things does Scrooge scoff at in the first chapter? (He likes to say "humbug" in response to these things)
Christmas and falling in love
Word meaning "looking exhausted and unwell"
Haggard
What is Literary Criticism?
Commenting on / critiquing a piece of writing
What gifts did Jim and Della buy for each other? What did they sell to get the gifts?
Jim sold his watch to buy combs for Della; Della sold her hair to buy a watch chain for Jim
What piece of foreshadowing points to the possibility of a death at the end of the story?
The graveyard flowers that Brother talks about at the beginning of the story.
For what reason does Scrooge's fiance say that she's leaving him?
What is the meaning of the word "slipshod"?
Careless; untidy
More in-depth piece of writing on a topic that goes into greater detail than a news story.