Why did so many African Americans leave the South?
Machines were invented which eliminated the need for sharecroppers
100
What were the only times that the kids got to see their parents? (2 answers)
Church and Payday
100
Describe the setting in the story.
New York City, 1900's, Christmas time
100
What two things were most valuable to the characters?
Della's hair and Jim's pocket watch
100
What is the exposition?
Background information is introduced (characters, setting, conflict)
200
Describe the life of a sharecropper.
A sharecropper is someone who works and lives on another person's farm. They work very long hours with very little pay to meet their needs.
200
List three things Buddy accomplished AFTER high school graduation.
Fought in the military
Graduated college
Master's degree
Professor
Married
Children
200
How was O. Henry different from most authors? (2 reasons)
He stole from a bank, was put in jail, and wrote his first story while in jail
200
What did Della buy for her husband?
a chain for his pocket watch
200
What is the rising action?
Any events leading to the climax
300
List three things that Charley and Lil had to do for their siblings.
Bathe them
Clothe them
Feed them
Punish them
Comfort them
Make toys for them
300
What did Buddy do that was an accomplishment for the entire family?
Graduated HS at the top of his class and was the only one from his family to do this
300
Describe the way the characters lived.
They were young, married, and lived in a very small place. They were very poor
300
How did Della's gift show the theme of the story?
Sacrifice for people you love (she gave up most valuable possession, her hair, to buy a chain for her husband to show her love)
300
What is the falling action?
the conflict is coming to a close
400
What did Buddy realize at his graduation?
He realized that each of his family members was just as smart as he was, but didn't have the opportunities he did. He was only given an education because he was the youngest.
400
What type of education did the children receive AND why?
The children really wanted to get an education, but usually had to drop out to help make money for the family
400
What did Della want to do for her husband?
Buy him a great gift to show him how special he was
400
In spite of the outcome, why does the author say the young couple is wise for what they did?
They demonstrated true love for each other by giving up their most valued possession to make the other happy
400
What is the resolution?
presents the final outcome of the story
500
Give an example of how Buddy OR Charley demonstrated the theme of the story.
Up to teacher
500
Contrast Buddy and Charley (at least two differences)
Charley drives a taxi Buddy is a professor
Charley cares what people think Buddy doesn't care at all
Charley worked for the family Buddy went to school
500
How has the word Magi come to be used with giving gifts at Christmas?
Magi were the wise men who brought gifts to Jesus. Their gifts started the gift-giving on Christmas
500
Explain the irony of the story.
They both gave up the one thing they valued most to show their love for the other, but the gifts they bought were to improve the valued gifts they both sold for money
500
What is the climax?
Turning point in the story. Could be good or bad for characters