Vocabulary
What does the term "furnished" mean in the context of the phrase "furnished rooms at a cost of $8 a week"?
A) Equipped with furniture
B) Decorated with artwork
C) Occupied by tenants
D) Newly constructed
A) Equipped with furniture
How had Della saved the $1.87?
Della saved the $1.87 by diligently scrimping and saving from her household budget. She was careful to spend as little as possible, bargaining with local vendors for food and cutting back on other expenses.
How much money did she get for her hair?
Della received $20 for her beautiful long hair when she sold it to a wig maker. This amount was a significant contribution towards purchasing a Christmas gift for her husband, Jim.
What was Jim's reaction when he saw Della's hair?
When Jim saw Della's short hair, he was initially shocked and momentarily speechless. His expression conveyed a mix of surprise and concern, as he realized that Della had sold her beautiful hair to buy him a gift. Despite his shock, Jim's love for Della remained strong, but he was clearly affected by her sacrifice.
Choose three adjective to describe Della
Selfless: Della demonstrates her selflessness through her willingness to sacrifice her most prized possession, her hair, to buy a meaningful gift for Jim.
Devoted: Her deep love and commitment to Jim are evident in her actions and thoughts, showcasing her dedication to their relationship.
Resourceful: Della shows resourcefulness by scrimping and saving every penny she could to afford a special gift for Jim, reflecting her determination and creativity in difficult circumstances.
What does the term "mastered" mean in the context of the phrase "Della, being quite thin, had mastered this art"?
A) Perfected or become highly skilled in
B) Taught someone else
C) Forgotten or lost the ability to do
D) Tried and failed at
A) Perfected or become highly skilled in
What had she saved the $1.87 for?
Della saved the $1.87 to buy a special Christmas gift for her husband, Jim. She wanted to purchase a platinum chain for his prized watch to show her love and appreciation for him.
What was her hair going to be used for?
Della's hair was going to be used to make wigs.
What was Jim's christmas present to Della?
Jim's Christmas present to Della was a set of beautiful combs for her hair. The combs were ornate and meant to hold her long hair in place, reflecting his appreciation for her beauty.
What adjectives could we use to describe Jim?
Practical: Jim is described as someone who values practicality, evident in his choice of gifts and his attitude toward material possessions.
Loving: Jim’s deep affection for Della is a central theme in the story, showcasing him as a loving husband willing to make sacrifices for her happiness.
What does the term "valuable" mean in the context of the phrase "its value was in its rich and pure material"?
A) Being emotional or sentimental
B) Having historical significance
C) Having great monetary worth or importance
D) Being rare or unique
C) Having great monetary worth or importance
Why did Della start crying?
Della started crying because she felt overwhelmed with frustration and disappointment. Despite her efforts to save money for a special Christmas gift for Jim, she only managed to accumulate $1.87, which she felt was not enough to buy anything meaningful.
What did Della buy?
Della bought a chain for her husband Jim's prized pocket watch. She hoped the chain would be a perfect complement to the watch, symbolizing her love and appreciation for him.
What was Della's first reaction to Jim's present?
Della's first reaction to Jim's present, the set of beautiful combs, was one of shock and disappointment. When she saw the combs, she realized the irony of the situation—she had sold her hair to buy him a gift, and now she had no use for the combs because her hair was gone.
Who does Della sell her hair to?
She sold it to Mrs. Sofronie.
In the sentence "Love and large-hearted giving, when added together, can leave deep marks," what does "large-hearted" most likely imply about the nature of giving?
A) It requires a lot of resources.
B) It is done without expecting anything in return.
C) It is often misunderstood by others.
D) It is done with great enthusiasm.
B) It is done without expecting anything in return.
Who is Mr. James Dillingham Young?
Mr. James Dillingham Young, commonly referred to as "Jim," is Della's husband in "The Gift of the Magi." He is a young man who works hard to support their modest household but has a limited income of $20 a week
Why did she choose that particular chain and how much did it cost?
As soon as she saw it, she knew that Jim must have it. It was like him. Quietness and value—Jim and the chain both had quietness and value. She paid twenty-one dollars for it. And she hurried home with the chain and eighty-seven cents.
What was Dellas's second reaction to Jim's present and why?
Della's second reaction to Jim's present was one of overwhelming love and gratitude. After her initial shock and disappointment, she reminded Jim and herself that her hair grows fast.
Think of the gifts Jim and Della choose for eachother and the sacrifices they make. What does this tell us about them?
Prioritization of Relationship Over Materialism
Emotional Insight and Thoughtfulness
In the phrase "But if you’ll open that, you may know what I felt when I came in," what does the term "may" imply about Jim's feelings toward Della?
A) He is unsure of his feelings.
B) He is eager to express his emotions.
C) He wants Della to understand his feelings.
D) He believes his feelings are unimportant.
C) He wants Della to understand his feelings.
In this context, "may" suggests that Jim is hopeful Della will grasp the depth of his emotions through the gift he has brought, indicating his desire for her to comprehend his feelings.
What are the couple's two most prized possesions?
Della's Hair: Della treasures her long, beautiful hair, which she considers her crowning glory. It symbolizes her beauty and femininity.
Jim's Watch: Jim cherishes his grandfather's gold watch, which has been passed down through generations. It represents his family's legacy and is a significant possession for him.
How did Della look after the hair cut?
Within forty minutes her head looked a little better. With her short hair, she looked wonderfully like a schoolboy. She stood at the looking-glass for a long time.
Why did Della suddenly jump up?
Della suddenly jumped up and realized that she had to give Jim his present too.
Why does the author describe Jim and Della as 'the most wise' even though they each gave up something valuable for gifts they can no longer use? What does this say about the meaning of gift-giving?"
The author describes Jim and Della as "the most wise" because their gifts were acts of selfless love, even though they each gave up something valuable that made the other's gift unusable. This shows that the true meaning of gift-giving is not about the material value of the gift but the thought, sacrifice, and love behind it. By sacrificing their most prized possessions for each other, Jim and Della demonstrate the depth of their love, which makes their actions wise in the context of the story, just like the Magi's wisdom in bringing gifts to the Christ-child.