Chapter Title and Brief Introduction 📚

Chapter 4.6 – The Gift of the Magi is a touching short story that explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and selflessness. It tells the story of a young couple who, despite being poor, each sell their most prized possession to buy a special Christmas gift for the other. This heartwarming tale highlights the true spirit of giving.

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Author Information ✍️

O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) was an American short story writer famous for his wit, wordplay, and surprise endings. His stories often depict ordinary people facing ironic twists of fate, making readers reflect on life and human nature.

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Summary of the Chapter 📖

Jim and Della, a poor young couple, want to buy Christmas gifts for each other but lack money. Della sells her beautiful long hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim’s prized watch. Meanwhile, Jim sells his watch to buy expensive combs for Della’s hair. On Christmas, they exchange gifts, realizing their sacrifices have made the gifts useless but their love priceless.

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New Words and Meanings 📒

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Figures of Speech with Examples 🎭

• Irony: Both Jim and Della sell their treasures to buy gifts for the other, making the gifts temporarily useless.

• Simile: “Her hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters.”

• Metaphor: “The magi” refers metaphorically to the wise men who gave gifts, symbolizing Jim and Della’s gift-giving.

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Grammar and Language Study 📚

• Tenses: Mostly past simple to narrate events.

• Reported Speech: Example: "She said she had no hair left."

• Adjectives: Used richly to describe emotions and possessions, e.g., beautiful, prized, platinum.

• Idioms: “To gift something” and “to sell off” are common idiomatic expressions.

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Important Exam Questions with Answers ❓✍️

Q1. What is the main theme of The Gift of the Magi? (2 marks)

The main theme is the selfless love and sacrifice between Jim and Della, showing that the greatest gift is love, not material things.

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Q2. Describe how Della feels before selling her hair. (3 marks)

Della feels worried and sad before selling her hair because it is her most beautiful feature. However, her love for Jim motivates her to make this sacrifice to buy a perfect gift for him.

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Q3. Explain the irony in the story. (4 marks)

The irony lies in the fact that both Jim and Della sell their most prized possessions to buy gifts that complement those possessions. Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair, which she has sold; Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, which he sold.

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Q4. How does the story portray true love? (5 marks)

The story portrays true love as self-sacrificing and unconditional. Both Jim and Della give up what they cherish most to bring happiness to each other. Their sacrifices show that love is not about material gifts but about the willingness to give and care deeply.

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Central Idea or Moral Message 🌟

The Gift of the Magi teaches us that the value of a gift lies not in its price but in the love and sacrifice behind it. Jim and Della’s story reminds us that true happiness comes from giving selflessly without expecting anything in return. Their actions show that love transcends material wealth, making their bond priceless and timeless. The story encourages us to appreciate the spirit of generosity and to understand that the greatest gifts come from the heart.

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Previously Asked Board Questions (Last 5 Years) 🕰️

1. Why did Della sell her hair? (2 marks)

Della sold her hair to buy a beautiful chain for Jim’s watch. She wanted to give Jim a worthy Christmas gift, even though they were poor.

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2. Describe Jim’s reaction when he sees Della’s short hair. (3 marks)

Jim is shocked but quickly recovers his composure. He values Della’s love more than her hair and shows understanding, proving his deep affection for her.

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3. What does the story say about material possessions? (4 marks)

The story shows that material possessions are temporary and less important than love. Jim and Della’s sacrifices highlight that love and selflessness hold greater value than any physical object.

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4. Explain the significance of the title The Gift of the Magi. (5 marks)

The title refers to the biblical Magi who brought gifts to Jesus. Similarly, Jim and Della are modern magi, giving gifts from their hearts. Their willingness to sacrifice their treasures symbolizes the true meaning of gift-giving—love, not wealth.

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Practice Questions (With Answers) ✍️

Short Answer Questions

1. Who are the main characters in the story?
   Answer: Jim and Della are the main characters.

2. What is Della’s prized possession?
   Answer: Her long, beautiful hair.

3. What does Jim sell to buy Della’s gift?
   Answer: He sells his gold watch.

4. What does Della buy for Jim?
   Answer: A platinum chain for his watch.

5. What is the setting of the story?
   Answer: A poor neighborhood during Christmas time.

6. What kind of story is The Gift of the Magi?
   Answer: A heartwarming short story about love and sacrifice.

7. What emotions do Jim and Della experience?
   Answer: Love, sacrifice, worry, and happiness.

8. Why is the story considered ironic?
   Answer: Because both gifts become useless due to their sacrifices.

9. What message does the story teach?
   Answer: Love is the greatest gift.

10. What is the tone of the story?
    Answer: Warm, emotional, and hopeful.

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Long Answer Questions

11. Describe the sacrifices Jim and Della make for each other.
    Answer: Della sells her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair. Both give up their most prized possessions out of love.

12. How does O. Henry create suspense and surprise in the story?
    Answer: The story builds suspense by focusing on their sacrifices, and the surprise ending reveals the irony of their gifts, making the story memorable.

13. Explain the symbolism behind the watch and hair.
    Answer: The watch symbolizes Jim’s heritage and time; the hair symbolizes Della’s beauty and youth. Their sacrifice symbolizes deep love.

14. What lessons can readers learn from The Gift of the Magi?
    Answer: Readers learn the value of selflessness, the importance of love over material things, and that true happiness lies in giving.

15. Discuss how the story reflects the spirit of Christmas.
    Answer: It reflects Christmas as a time for giving, love, and sacrifice, showing that the true spirit lies in generosity, not gifts’ monetary value.

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(Additional 5 long/short questions)

16. How does poverty affect the characters?

17. Describe the narrative style used by O. Henry.

18. What role does the setting play in the story?

19. How do Jim and Della’s actions define their relationship?

20. Why is The Gift of the Magi still popular today?