“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.” (Henry 6).
Henry characterizes Della as a
devoted housewife who truly
loves her husband. Throughout
the short story, we have an
image of a housewife who does
not have the best financial
means. Despite all adversities,
she could only think about how
she will buy a present for her
husband. This quote is
significant because it depicts
the devotion she has put into
their relationship. For months
she has been saving for Jim’s
present, even enduring
humiliation from others by
saving pennies.
Theme:
Sacrifice
"‘Let’s put our Christmas
presents away and keep 'em a
while. They're too nice to use
just at present. I sold the watch
to get the money to buy your
combs. And now suppose you
put the chops on.’" (Henry 44)
Throughout this short story, the
theme sacrifice plays a very
prominent role in the couple’s
life. The husband and the wife
both give up their most prized
possessions to be able to afford
Christmas gifts for each other.
The sacrifices they have made
have turned out rather
ineffective since the gifts
cannot be used. However, the
narrator emphasizes that the
chain and the combs have
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- Fall '16
- Solomon, Queen of Sheba, Della
