what literary elements are used in the gift of the magi

Three of the most important literary devices used in "The Gift of the Magi

" are Dramatic Irony, symbolism, and allusion. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows the situation regarding the characters' gifts, but the characters don't yet know it. Symbolism occurs with the repetition of the color grey in the story.

Full Answer

What literary devices are used in the gift of the Magi?

Three of the most important literary devices used in "The Gift of the Magi" are Dramatic Irony, symbolism, and allusion. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows the situation regarding the characters' gifts, but the characters don't yet know it.

What is the mood of the gift of the Magi?

Accordingly, what is the mood in the story The Gift of the Magi? Answer and Explanation: The tone of "The Gift of the Magi " is rueful and affectionate. The outside narrator describes Della and Jim in positive terms, speaking of

What does the narrator do in the gift of the Magi?

The narrator of "The Gift of the Magi" intrudes upon the story multiple times. When he draws our attention away from the characters and speaks directly to the readers, he is making his presence obvious to the reader. Like an actor breaking the fourth wall, he tells us to look away when Della and Jim are embracing.

How long is the entire section of the gift of the Magi?

Gentle and ingenious, his writing is pervaded by that eminently salable quality known as “human interest.”... (The entire section contains 1540 words.) Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this The Gift of the Magi study guide.

What type of literary work is The Gift of the Magi?

"The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O. Henry first published in 1905....The Gift of the MagiGenre(s)Short storyPublished inThe Four MillionPublication typeAnthologyPublisherMcClure, Phillips, and Company7 more rows

Where is alliteration used in The Gift of the Magi?

Counting money three times. Color grey mentioned three times. Alliteration that comes in threes: sobs, sniffles, smiles; sudden serious sweetness. Allusion to the Queen of Sheba known for giving three gifts to King Solomon.

How is figurative language used in The Gift of the Magi?

From one of the result above, it can be seen that hyperbole conveys messages from writing or words by making an exaggerated and even unreasonable comparison, but the message conveyed is very easy to receive. Therefore, hyperbole becomes the figurative most often used in the short story The gift of the magi by O. Henry.

How is irony used in the gift of Magi?

The Magi's Gift Henry uses situational irony to emphasize the unexpected outcome of the story. Clearly, Della cannot make use of the decorative combs in her very short hair, and Jim lacks the watch he has sold. He has no need for the expensive chain his wife has purchased with the sale of her long locks.

What is literary devices in a story?

Literary devices are specific techniques that allow a writer to convey a deeper meaning that goes beyond what's on the page. Literary devices work alongside plot and characters to elevate a story and prompt reflection on life, society, and what it means to be human.

What are examples of simile in The Gift of the Magi?

Later, using another literary device called a simile -- a comparison including the word "like" or "as" -- the narrator adds to this image of power by likening the beauty of her hair to a turbulent river "rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters."

What are some imagery in The Gift of the Magi?

All of this imagery creates a contrast between the rich, warm, inner world of love and affection which Della and Jim create, and the gray, ugly, outer world of money and work and miserly, hair-buying business owners. Their love transforms their flat from a particularly drab part of that dreary world into a home.

What is a hyperbole in The Gift of the Magi?

hyperbole. Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. hyperbole.

Why did O. Henry choose this simile? "Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail."

I think it indicates that Jim was in shock, startled when he saw Della with her hair cut.

What story elements did the author use to develop the theme?

One important element in O. Henry's, The Gift of the Magi, is his use of allusion.... references to well-known people, places, events, or artistic...

Sevaral passages in the Story give subtle clues about jim.Identify at least three passages that reveal aspects of jim's character and exolain their significance

This is only a short-answer space but I can give you a general comment on Jim. Jim is a loving husband. We know this not because he gives up a poss...

What is the structure of the gift of the Magi?

Structure. “The Gift of the Magi” is also a good example of the kind of story structure, or organization, for which O. Henry became famous. One of the most widely recognized elements of his fiction is the surprise ending; in fact, many critics refer to the sudden, unexpected turn of events at the very end of a story as “the O. Henry twist.”.

What is the allusion in the gift of the Magi?

Allusion. Another element of “The Gift of the Magi” is allusion, or references to well-known people, places, events, or artistic works. When the narrator in this story describes Delia’s hair and Jim’s watch, he alludes to the Bible:”Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Delia would have let her hair hang out ...

Who is the narrator in The Gift of the Magi?

In “The Gift of the Magi,” O. Henry uses a folksy narrator to tell the story of Jim and Delia Young, a poor young couple who buy each other special Christmas gifts, which ironically cancel each other out because Delia sells her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch, which he in turn has sold to buy her a fine set of combs for her hair.

Where is the story of the Magi set?

The settings of O. Henry’s stories are often grouped into five categories: the American South, the West, Central America, prison, and New York. “The Gift of the Magi” is a New York story. Although almost half of his stories are set in New York, O. Henry establishes the particular settings of each story with great attention to detail.

What is the intrusive narrator in The Gift of the Magi?

Intrusive Narrator. The narrator of "The Gift of the Magi" intrudes upon the story multiple times. When he draws our attention away from the characters and speaks directly to the readers, he is making his presence obvious to the reader.

What is a description of a literary element?

Description of Literary Elements. Descriptions clearly explain what the literary elements do to enhance the story. Most descriptions tell what the literary elements do to enhance the story. Descriptions are unrelated to the literary elements. Spelling and Grammar. Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate.

What is the irony of the end of the story?

Irony. The end of the story is an example of situational irony. Each character is faced with a circumstance that is the opposite of what they expected. This irony adds a trademark O. Henry's twist to the end of the story. Intrusive Narrator. The narrator of "The Gift of the Magi" intrudes upon the story multiple times.

What are some examples of literary devices?

Example “The Gift of the Magi” Literary Devices. Symbolism. The expensive objects Della and Jim buy each other are symbolic of their love. The items themselves have very little meaning - in fact, the couple puts them away for the time being. The selfless sacrifice that they represent, however, makes them precious. Irony.

What is the purpose of illustrations in a story?

Illustrations show attention to the details of the story and demonstrate connection to the literary elements. Illustrations demonstrate connection to the literary elements. Illustrations show little connection to the literary elements. Descriptions clearly explain what the literary elements do to enhance the story.

What is the gift of the Magi?

"The Gift of the Magi'' is also a good example of the kind of story structure, or organization, for which O. Henry became famous. One of the most widely recognized elements of his fiction is the surprise ending; in fact, many critics refer to the sudden, unexpected turn of events at the very end of a story as "the O. Henry twist."

Where is the story of the gift of the Magi set?

The settings of O. Henry's stories are often grouped into five categories: the American South, the West, Central America, prison, and New York. "The Gift of the Magi" is a New York story. Although almost half of his stonries are set in New York, O. Henry establishes the particular settings of each story with great attention to detail.

What is O Henry's style?

O. Henry’s humor and imagination conquer any journalistic tendencies he may have transferred to fiction. His penchant for dramatic irony, a trademark in many of his short stories, gives his style its distinctive flavor. Gentle and ingenious, his writing is pervaded by that eminently salable quality known as “human interest.”.

What is the first paragraph of Della's book?

The first paragraph, primarily made up of short phrases and sentence fragments, introduces Della and her money problem. Using very little space, O. Henry gives readers an accurate sense of her character, her predicament, and her surroundings.

What does Jim cover his fear of Della's disappointment with?

Jim covers his fear of Della’s disappointment with an almost affected nonchalance when he requests that they merely put their Christmas gifts away and keep them for an unspecified future. Only then does he reveal that he has sacrificed his treasure to secure Della’s desire.

What is Della and Jim about?

Subscribe Now. Della and Jim are not the products of an overly sentimental imagination. The author strives to create circumstances as well as physical surroundings that ring true to life. Both the protagonists accept life as they find it without giving in to the negative emotions of hopelessness or despair.

What is the meaning of the gift of the Magi?

This well known story, created by O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) and first published in 1906, shows the selfishness or foolishness of a young couple at Christmas time .

Why is the gift of the Magi important?

These Gift of the Magi literary terms are meant to help readers delve deeper into the story to gain alternate perspectives of the events. A careful reading of any story will yield similar results. Literary analysis remains an important part ...

What is the theme of the story "The Love of Delia"?

Theme: The central idea in this story is the love between Delia and James and the sacrifices that they make to please the other. Delia Young: A young woman married to James. She sells her long hair to buy her husband a watch fob. James Dillingham Young: A young man (twenty-two years old) married to Delia.

What alliteration comes in threes?

Alliteration that comes in threes: sobs, sniffles, smiles; sudden serious sweetness. Allusion to the Queen of Sheba known for giving three gifts to King Solomon. Irony: One type of irony can be seen in this story, situational irony.

What is the most exciting part of a story?

Climax: The most exciting part of the story is when the characters exchange gifts. Everything in the story leads up to that particular moment. Resolution: The story wraps up quickly after the climax when the characters realize what they have sacrificed for each other.

Why is literary analysis important?

Literary analysis remains an important part of the curriculum for a variety of reasons. For one, it helps us understand our world and the world around us, especially different places and times. Yet many stories, such as the Gift of the Magi, endure because of their timelessness.

Where does the gift of the Magi take place?

Narrator: The story is told in the third person point of view through a mostly omniscient narrator. Setting: The story takes place in New York City. While the setting is not exactly stated, the author infers this setting by mentioning Coney Island, a well known area landmark.

Plot Development

The irony of the story is when Jim gave Della her present and they were combs for the hair that she had sold.

Point of View

The point of view of The Gift of the Magi is third person omniscient because the person narrates the thoughts of both characters in the story.

SYMBOLISM

Simile: "Jim stopped inside the door as immovable as a setter at the scent of a quail."