Aaron Garrett
Professor Vega
English 201
18 October 2020
“The Gift of the Magi”
Question 1: Does ‘The Gift of the Magi’ have a happy or sad ending?
The Gift of the Magi has a bittersweet ending. Although the couple sold their most
valuable possessions to get each other gifts, Jim accepted the situation. “let’s put our
Christmas gifts away... I sold the watch to get the money to buy the combs. And now I
think we should have dinner" (Henry 6). Understanding that they both have no use for
their gifts as it stands now, Mr. Young resigns and tells Mrs. Young that they should
have dinner. No response is given for Mrs. Young to the uselessness of her gift for
Mr. Young at the moment. However, considering how highly Mrs. Young regards Mr.
Young, it can be inferred that she also accepted the reality of the situation. “She had
had many happy hours planning something nice for him. Something nearly good
enough. Something almost worth the honor of belonging to Jim” (Henry 2).
Question 3: “What is the author's tone throughout the story? Cite specific evidence to
support your answer.”
The author’s tone is that of pity. The very beginning of the story immediately sets the
tone. “ONE DOLLAR AND EIGHTY-SEVEN CENTS. That was all… one cent and
then another and then another, in her careful buying of meat and other food” (Henry
1). The author is already characterizing Mrs. Young as a woman that is in a fickle
financial situation. The pity is expressed towards her lack of being able to buy an
appropriate gift for her husband, who she regards dearly. “Only $1.87 to buy a gift for
Jim. Her Jim” (Henry 2).
Question 7: O. Henry refers to Della and Jim as "foolish children" and "the wisest."
How can Della and Jim be both foolish and wise?
Della and Jim are foolish because they bought gifts for each other but sold their most
valuable possessions to do so. “... here I have told you a story of two children who
were not wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned…” (Henry 6). Yet, they
are wise because even though they sold their most valuable possessions, the love that
they had for each other was prevalent. The fact that they both sold their most valuable
possessions for each other shows the selflessness of their actions and the extent of
their love.