“Gift of the Magi” Analysis Chart
Short Story Elements
Example from Story
Significance to Story or
Impact on Story
Characterization
Della
“Della finished her cry
and attended to her
cheeks with the powder
rag. She stood by the
window and looked out
dully at a gray cat
walking a gray fence in a
gray backyard. Tomorrow
would be Christmas Day,
and she
had only $1.87
with which to buy Jim a
present. She had been
saving every penny she
could for months, with
this result. Twenty dollars
a week doesn’t go far.”
The author is
characterizing Della as a
loving and loyal
housewife who cares
about her husband with
everything she has. In
the short story, we see
images of a housewife
who is on low financial
means. Aside from their
differences, she could
only worry about how she
would be able to afford a
gift for him. This example
from the story is a
significant piece because
it demonstrates the vast
dedication she has for
their relationship. Over
the months she saved up
for Jim’s present and
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- Fall '16
- Melanie Gaines
- Della, Biblical Magi
