““The Gift of the Magi” pg. The Gift of the Magi” pg. 287287

By: O. Henry

Meet the AuthorMeet the Author (5 min)(5 min)

Please take out a piece of paper.Please take out a piece of paper. Date it, and title it “Meet the Author”Date it, and title it “Meet the Author” Read the info. on pg. 293Read the info. on pg. 293 In your own words, list 5 interesting details you In your own words, list 5 interesting details you

learned about O. Henry.learned about O. Henry. 1)1) 2)2) 3)3) 4)4) 5)5)

Magi Background:Magi Background: The Magi referred to in the title of the story are the The Magi referred to in the title of the story are the

three “wise men” who, according to the Bible three “wise men” who, according to the Bible brought gifts of frankincense and myrrh as well as brought gifts of frankincense and myrrh as well as gold to the infant Jesus. Traditionally, the Magi’s gifts gold to the infant Jesus. Traditionally, the Magi’s gifts are regarded as the first Christmas presents.are regarded as the first Christmas presents.

The title’s biblical reference is known as an The title’s biblical reference is known as an allusion.allusion. Copy down the following word and definition below Copy down the following word and definition below

your “Meet the author” work.your “Meet the author” work. allusionallusion: a reference to a person, a place, or an : a reference to a person, a place, or an

event from literature, history, religion, mythology, event from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, etc.politics, etc.

What is Irony?What is Irony? Notes: Below your “allusion” Notes: Below your “allusion”

definition, label your paper “What definition, label your paper “What is Irony?”is Irony?”

IronyIrony is aboutis about expectationsexpectations..

Irony:Irony: the opposite of what is the opposite of what is expectedexpected. .

3 kinds 3 kinds of of ironyirony VerbalVerbal DramaticDramatic SituationalSituational

Verbal IronyVerbal Irony

A character says one thing but A character says one thing but means the oppositemeans the opposite

Also calledAlso called sarcasmsarcasm or beingor being sarcasticsarcastic..

Example:Example:

Awesome! Another homework packet!Awesome! Another homework packet!

Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony

When the reader understands more When the reader understands more about the events of a story than a about the events of a story than a character.character.

You know a secret that a character You know a secret that a character doesn’t. doesn’t.

Example:Example:

Tim’s parents are proud of the “A” he Tim’s parents are proud of the “A” he got on the test, but we know he cheated.got on the test, but we know he cheated.

Situational IronySituational Irony

When what actually happens is the When what actually happens is the opposite of what is expected.opposite of what is expected.

Something about the situation is Something about the situation is completely unexpected.completely unexpected.

Example:Example:

Bill Gates uses an Apple computer.Bill Gates uses an Apple computer.

ReviewReview

Something that is Something that is ironicironic is is unexpected.unexpected.

If unexpected by a If unexpected by a charactercharacter, it’s , it’s dramaticdramatic..

If unexpected by If unexpected by everyoneeveryone, it’s , it’s situationalsituational..

If it’s If it’s sarcasmsarcasm, it’s , it’s verbalverbal..

Elbow Partner ActivityElbow Partner Activity (5 min)(5 min)

On the back of your notes, draw a 3 On the back of your notes, draw a 3 column chart.column chart.

With an elbow partner, analyze a With an elbow partner, analyze a portion of the song lyrics “Ironic” by portion of the song lyrics “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette for irony. Alanis Morissette for irony.

Use a chart like the one Use a chart like the one

on the next slide.on the next slide.

““Ironic” ChartIronic” Chart

Quote from song lyrics:

Type of Irony:

Commentary (1-2 sentences)

“An old man turned ninety-eight, he won the lottery, and died the next day” (Morissette).

Situational irony This is situational irony because it is unexpected that the old man died before he could enjoy his winnings.

An old man turned ninety-eightHe won the lottery and died the next dayIt's a black fly in your ChardonnayIt's a death row pardon two minutes too lateAnd isn't it ironic... don't you think

Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to flyHe packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbyeHe waited his whole damn life to take that flightAnd as the plane crashed down he thought"Well isn't this nice..."And isn't it ironic... don't you think

It's like rain on your wedding dayIt's a free ride when you've already paidIt's the good advice that you just didn't takeWho would've thought... it figures

Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on youWhen you think everything's okay and everything's going rightAnd life has a funny way of helping you out whenYou think everything's gone wrong and everything blows upIn your face

A traffic jam when you're already lateA no-smoking sign on your cigarette breakIt's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knifeIt's meeting the man of my dreamsAnd then meeting his beautiful wifeAnd isn't it ironic...don't you thinkA little too ironic...and, yeah, I really do think...

““The Gift of the Magi” pgs. 287-292The Gift of the Magi” pgs. 287-292Identifying Situational Irony in the Identifying Situational Irony in the

story.story.

Please take out a sheet of paper.Please take out a sheet of paper. Title it “Situational Irony in ‘The Gift Title it “Situational Irony in ‘The Gift

of the Magi’.”of the Magi’.” Draw the Irony Map on the following Draw the Irony Map on the following

slide.slide. While we read, follow along and fill While we read, follow along and fill

out the Irony Map.out the Irony Map.

Irony MapIrony MapFill in the Irony Map below to understand how the Fill in the Irony Map below to understand how the

story’s events create situational irony. Then, explain story’s events create situational irony. Then, explain what the irony shows us about the characters.what the irony shows us about the characters. (10 (10

min) min) What Della sells:What Della sells: What Jim sells:What Jim sells:

What Della buys:What Della buys: What Jim buys:What Jim buys:

Why Della buys it:Why Della buys it: Why Jim buys them:Why Jim buys them:

What Della receives:What Della receives: What Jim receives:What Jim receives:

Situational Irony/Why the Gift is Situational Irony/Why the Gift is Useless:Useless:

Situational Irony/Why the Gift is Situational Irony/Why the Gift is Useless:Useless:

What we learn about Della:What we learn about Della: What we learn about Jim:What we learn about Jim:

On the back of your Irony Map, label it On the back of your Irony Map, label it “Surprise Ending.”“Surprise Ending.”

The author O. Henry specialized in a particular type of ironic The author O. Henry specialized in a particular type of ironic situation: the situation: the surprise endingsurprise ending..

Respond to the following question following the provided format:Respond to the following question following the provided format: What is your reaction to O. Henry’s What is your reaction to O. Henry’s surprise endingsurprise ending? Did you ? Did you

enjoy this ironic ending, or does it seem like a trick played on the enjoy this ironic ending, or does it seem like a trick played on the reader? Explain your response.reader? Explain your response.

The ending to “The Gift of Magi” is __________ because _________. For The ending to “The Gift of Magi” is __________ because _________. For

example, ______________. Also, __________________. This means example, ______________. Also, __________________. This means

____________________________.____________________________.

Point of View Review: Point of View Review: Below your “Surprise Ending” response, Below your “Surprise Ending” response,

label your paper P.O.V. and respond to the label your paper P.O.V. and respond to the following question using the provided following question using the provided

format:format: What point of view What point of view (1(1stst person, 3 person, 3rdrd person limited, person limited,

33rdrd person omniscient) person omniscient) is “The Gift of the Magi” is “The Gift of the Magi” told in?told in?

The story “The Gift of the Magi is told in _____________. For The story “The Gift of the Magi is told in _____________. For example, ________________. This means, ____________. This example, ________________. This means, ____________. This matters, because______________matters, because______________

AmbiguityAmbiguity

A few spaces below, your “P.O.V.” response, title A few spaces below, your “P.O.V.” response, title it “Ambiguity Practice.”it “Ambiguity Practice.”

Copy down the following definition:Copy down the following definition: Ambiguity: An element of uncertainty in a text, in Ambiguity: An element of uncertainty in a text, in

which something can be interpreted in a number of which something can be interpreted in a number of different ways.different ways.

For example, if you and a friend have completely different For example, if you and a friend have completely different ideas about an ideas about an ambiguousambiguous character or the character or the ambiguousambiguous meaning of a story or poem, you both might be “right.” There meaning of a story or poem, you both might be “right.” There is no single way to interpret an ambiguous story or poem.is no single way to interpret an ambiguous story or poem.

Ambiguity Practice:Ambiguity Practice:

You will now read a short poem titled “The Sick Rose” by You will now read a short poem titled “The Sick Rose” by William Blake.William Blake.

This poem is This poem is ambiguousambiguous, because many of the lines can , because many of the lines can have more than one meaning.have more than one meaning.

Copy down the “Whole to Parts” map on the following slide. Copy down the “Whole to Parts” map on the following slide. Use this format to break down what you think the meaning Use this format to break down what you think the meaning

of the poem is. of the poem is. Then when finished, respond to the question below the Then when finished, respond to the question below the

“Whole to Parts” map using the provided format.“Whole to Parts” map using the provided format. Remember, you are breaking down the poem and Remember, you are breaking down the poem and

interpreting what YOU think it means. There are no wrong interpreting what YOU think it means. There are no wrong answers.answers.

Ambiguity Whole to Parts Map:Ambiguity Whole to Parts Map:

“The Sick Rose”

“O Rose thou art sick.The invisible worm,That flies in the nightIn the howling storm:Has found out thy bedOf crimson joy;And his dark secret loveDoes thy life destroy”

William Blake

After completing the Brace Map, explain using the format provided, how this poem is ambiguous.The poem is ambiguous, because _____________________. For example, the line “______________” ( ) could mean ________________. Or, the line could mean _________________. This means that _______________________.

“The invisible worm that flies in the night” (2-3).

This is talking about…Also, this could mean…

“ line from poem” (line number (s) )

Breakdown of what you think the line (s) of the poem mean.

VocabularyVocabularyOn a separate sheet of paper, title it “The Gift of the Magi” Vocab On a separate sheet of paper, title it “The Gift of the Magi” Vocab

PracticePractice Instigates: Instigates: gives rise togives rise to Agile: Agile: moving with easemoving with ease Depreciate: Depreciate: lower the value oflower the value of Cascade: Cascade: waterfallwaterfall Ransacking:Ransacking: searching thoroughly searching thoroughly Discreet: Discreet: especially being silent or especially being silent or

careful careful Scrutiny: Scrutiny: close inspectionclose inspection Nimble: Nimble: quickly movingquickly moving Coveted: Coveted: longed-forlonged-for Singed: Singed: lightly burned lightly burned

1st: Answer in complete sentences 1-10 on page 296 in textbook.

Next, write a complete summary of the story using at least 7 of the vocabulary terms listed on the left-hand side. •Underline or highlight the vocabulary words you used.