gift of the magi literary terms

Gift of the Magi Literary Terms

This Gift of the Magi literary terms synopsis includes the terms referenced

directly from the short story. This well known story, created by O. Henry(William

Sydney Porter) and first published in 1906, shows the selfishness or foolishness of a

young couple at Christmas time. Eager to please the other with a spectacular gift, they

sell their most prized possessions to have enough money to purchase the other a gift.

She sells her hair to buy him a watch fob; he sells his watch to buy her tortoise shell

hair combs.

Understanding the Gift of the Magi Literary Terms

Narrator: The story is told in the third person point of view through a mostly

omniscient narrator.

Setting: The story takes place in New York City. While the setting is not exactly

stated, the author infers this setting by mentioning Coney Island, a well known area

landmark.

Theme: The central idea in this story is the love between Delia and James and the

sacrifices that they make to please the other.

Climax: The most exciting part of the story is when the characters exchange gifts.

Everything in the story leads up to that particular moment.

Resolution: The story wraps up quickly after the climax when the characters realize

what they have sacrificed for each other.

Repetition: The number three figures prominently throughout the story. Parts of the

dialogue, events, characters, and other elements all come in threes. Some examples

include:

• Three characters (Delia, James, Madame Sofronie) with three very valuable

items (hair, watch, love)