The Gift of the Magi
Make sure to read the story before answering this activity.
The story has two characters and an interesting plot. Trace the development of the story’s theme and
show how O. Henry combined the elements of the short story to make a great short by filling in the
table with pertinent information that you read from the story. (3 points each)
The Gift of the Magi
The Setting

The Dillingham Youngs’
appartment.
The Characters



Delia
James “Jim” Dillingham Young
Mrs. Sofronie
Details about the setting
In a winter cold Christmas Eve in their furnished
rooms at a cost of $8 a week.
(Details about the characters)
Delia as Jim’s wife is the one who runs errands for
their Christmas Eve feast and was left with a dollar
and eighty-seven scents yet she wants to buy her
husband a gift for Christmas.
(How does the setting contribute to the
theme of the story)
The setting gives the reader its
scenery so the mood can fit the
entire plot of the story which the
main characters started their
dialogues.
(How does characterization contribute to the
theme of the story)
The characterization supports the
theme to let the Dill them reveal
their personality and how the
scenery given affects their emotion.
Jim as the husband of Delia is the one financing
their living yet his salary decreased by ten dollars
and is now 20$ per week.
Mrs. Sofronie as the salon owner who bought
Delia’s hair.
The Plot
(Details about the plot)
The plot starts at Delia left with
such small amount of money.
where she couldn’t afford to buy
Jim a gift for Christmas. The only
thing she could do is to be sad but
then she realizes she can get
money by selling her long hair.
After giving up her hair to the
salon, She finds a perfect gift for
Jim and was affordable to her
budget. Delia then rushed home
for she also hoped Jim will love
her gift. Jim got home and
wondering what’s different with
his wife, and Delia admitted to Jim
she sold her hair. Jim gives his
Christmas gift to Delia and she
immedietly loved it. Delia then
pulls out her gift to Jim which is
have no use anymore.
Delia was left with $1.87.She then sold her hair for
$20 at Mrs. Sofronie’s salon and bought the
$21.87 chain for Jim’s precious watch. Delia got
home and moments later Jim showed up and saw
Delia’s short hair. Delia speaks about how she sold
her hair. Jim then handed Delia a gift which
contain 2 combs she have been admiring since and
now it’s no use because of her short hair.
Afterwards, Delia gave the chain for Jim’s watch
and Jim was shocked when he didn’t told Delia he
used his watch to gain money from his decreased
salary and to be able to purchase the pair of welldesigned combs.
(How does the plot contribute to the
theme of the story)
When the plot shows the struggles
of Delia definitely add up to her
loving character and as a very
thoughtful wife she finds herself
selling her hair in order to buy her
husband a gift for Christmas. Jim as
the very hardworking husband was
obviously always looking out for his
wife and minding that he gave up his
precious watch for Delia can feel his
love language for Christmas.
The Conflict
(Details about the conflict)
Delia was left with such small
amount of money after buying
things for Christmas Eve. She
wanted to buy a gift for her
husband. She only have one thing
that is precious to her yet she sold
it in order to purchase the chain.
Jim’s salary decreased by $10 and
the precious thing he had was his
watch passed to him.
Delia was left with $1.87. The chain costs $21.87.
She sold her hair to a salon which gained her $20.
Jim’s regular salary was $30 per week. Making
them $10 short for paying their expenses.
The theme of the short story
( Details about the theme)
The act of self-sacrifice and deep
love.
Both of the main characters sacrificed their
precious things. Delia sold her hair and Jim also
sold his watch.
(How does the conflict contribute to
the theme of the story)
The conflict leads us how the main
characters will solve their problem
and finally revealing the end of the
story and the message of the theme
is given.
(Is the theme fully developed? What
are your reaction to the theme?)
The theme is pretty much conveyed
thoroughly because both characters
shown the value of their loved one
as they forewent to get rid of
valuable things in life in order to do
give something for someone they
really love.