Assignment Menu on “The Gift of the Magi”
Directions: You will have class time and homework time over the next three days to
complete your selected menu items. Remember to do your best thinking and writing on the
menu. The menu is designed to help you think about the meaning that the story might have for
its readers.
Appetizer
(You must choose one from this section.)
•Describe the best gift you have ever received. What made it special?
•Describe the best gift you have ever given. What made it memorable for you?
Main Course
(You must answer each item in this section.)
•Describe the setting of the story (consider both time and place).
•Which characters speak the following lines, and what do these lines tell us about the characters?
-“…what could I do with a dollar and eighty-seven cents?”
-“Let’s put our Christmas presents away and keep ‘em a while. They’re too nice to use
just at present.”
•Irony occurs when what happens is the opposite of what is expected to happen. Give two
examples of irony in the story.
•The theme of a story is a main idea, usually expressed as a general statement that actually goes
beyond the actual storyline. Which of the following sayings best describes the theme of The Gift
of the Magi? Defend your choice.
-Love is the greatest gift of all.
-Money can’t buy you love.
-A gift must come from the heart.
-Beauty comes from within.
Side Dishes
(Please select one item from this section.)
•Research the following question: Who are the magi? Then explain how they relate to the
meaning of this story.
•Illustrate a poster entitled, “Gift of the Magi.”
•O.Henry said, “of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.” Do you agree or disagree?
Explain why.
•Choose a partner to conduct a debate on the following question: Which is the greatest sacrifice:
Della selling her hair or Jim selling his watch? Your partner needs to take the opposite view
from yours.
•Form a group of 3 to write and act out an alternative ending to this story.
•Animators and movie makers use a technique called “story-boarding” to illustrate the main
scenes as they want them to be represented on screen. Create a storyboard, using at least three
separate drawings, that describe what might happen next in this story. (You may include a short
written description for each drawing if needed for understanding.)
Desserts
(These are extra credit. You may do one or two of these if you’d like to.)
•Imagine living in poverty. You would like to provide a special Christmas gift for your mom.
Describe what you might do.
*Imagine living in extreme wealth. You, as well as everyone in your family, have everything
they could want and more. You would like to provide a special Christmas gift for your mom.
Describe what you might do.