Study Guide
English 9
Short Story Test
The Gift of the Magi and The Interlopers
Terms to Know
 inference
 situational irony
 foreshadowing
 discreet
 depreciate (know an antonym also)
 irony
 condolences
 languor
Concepts to Know
 setting of The Magi
 Della’s problem
 explain quote: “life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and
smiles, with sniffles predominating (being a lot)?
 understand the meaning of: “Pennies saved one and
two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and vegetable
man and the butcher until one’s cheeks burned (being
embarrassed) with the silent imputation of parsimony
that such close dealing implied”
 explain Jim
 understand Jim’s reaction to Della’s haircut
 know how O Henry foreshadowed the ending of the story
 explain the meaning of the The Interlopers
 mood of The Interlopers
 explain Ulrich
 Ulrich’s feelings about Georg
 explain the passage: “How many of them are there”’
asked Georg. ‘I can’t see distinctly,’ said Ulrich; ‘nine or
ten.’ ;Then they are yours,’ said Georg; ‘I had only
seven out with.’ ‘They are making all the speed they
can, brave lads, ‘ said Ulrich gladly.”
 why is the ending of The Interlopers surprising
 What’s the tone at the end of the story?
