The Gift of the Magi

By O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)

 

William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American short story writer famous for his wit, wordplay, and surprise endings. Born on September 11, 1862, in Greensboro, North Carolina, he worked various jobs, including as a bank clerk and a journalist, before gaining fame as a writer. His most notable works include “The Gift of the Magi” and “The Ransom of Red Chief,” showcasing his talent for capturing the complexities of everyday life with humor and irony.

“The Gift of the Magi” explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and generosity. Set around Christmas, it tells the story of a young couple, Della and Jim, who are financially struggling but deeply in love. To buy each other meaningful gifts, they sacrifice their most prized possessions-Della sells her long hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair. The story is celebrated for its ironic twist and heartwarming portrayal of selfless love.

Mcqs from the Text

1. How much money did Della save to buy a Christmas present for Jim?

(a) 1 dollar and 87 cents (b) 2 dollars (c) 5 dollars (d) 20 dollars

2. Why did she want to buy a gift for Jim?

(a) for their anniversary (b) it was his birthday (c) it was Christmas (d) none of these

3. James Dillingham Youngs had two valuable things

(a) James’ watch and Della’s hair (b) TV & VCR (c) Car & house (d) None of these

4. Della’s hair was more beautiful than any

(a) painting (b) palace (c) queen’s jewels and gifts (d) diamond

5. Della’s hair reached below her

(a) back (b) neck (c) knees (d) feet

6. What did she buy for Jim?

(a) a gold watch (b) a watch chain (c) gold cufflinks (d) a shirt

7. What was common in Jim and the watch chain?

(a) value (b) simplicity (c) quietness (d) quietness and value

8. With her short hair, she looked wonderfully like a

(a) princess (b) pretty woman (c) damsel (d) schoolboy

9. What did Jim buy for Della?

(a) a ring (b) a diamond necklace (c) the combs (d) a gold bracelet

10. Jim knew that no king had anything so valuable as his

(a) wife’s hair (b) his ancestorial watch (c) a beautiful car (d) None of these

11. Della’s hair shine like a falling stream of __________ water.

(a) brown (b) black (c) grey (d) blue

12. What was the color of his coat and hat?

(a) black and white (b) black (c) brown (d) black and brown

13. To whom did Della sell her hair?

(a) Mrs. Black (b) Mrs. Sofronie (c) Mrs. Sofia (d) Mrs. Smith

14. All good things are __________.

(a) beautiful (b) sophisticated (c) plain and simple (d) None of these

15. How much did she pay for the chain watch?

(a) 20 dollars (b) everything she had (c) 2 dollars (d) 200 dollars

16. How much money was she left with?

(a) 1 dollar and 87 cents (b) 2 dollars (c) 87 cents (d) 20 dollars

17. Though the watch was so fine, it never had a __________?

(a) chain (b) fine chain (c) buckle (d) None of these

18. Love and ­­­­­­­_______________ giving when added together can leave deep marks.

(a) gifts (b) large-hearted (c) generous (d) lavish

19. How much time did it take to make her head look better?

(a) 50 mins (b) 5 mins (c) 40 mins (d) 4 hrs

20. At what time Jim’s dinner was ready for him?

(a) 7 o’clock (b) 9 o’clock (c) 8 o’clock (d) 6 o’clock

21. Where was the watch chain when she was waiting for Jim by the door?

(a) at the shelf (b) kitchen cabinet (c) on table (d) in her hand

22. What did Jim look like when he stepped in?

(a) looked happy (b) looked nervous (c) looked very thin (d) None of these

23. What was the age of Jim?

(a) 20 (b) 21 (c) 23 (d) 22

24. What did Jim need?

(a) shoes (b) gloves (c) shirt (d) coat and gloves

25. Jim was as quiet as a __________ when it’s near a bird.

(a) cat (b) lion (c) tiger (d) hunting dog

26. How did Jim’s eyes look at Della?

(a) vaguely (b) suspiciously (c) strangely (d) curiously

27. Della said that her hair could be counted but no one could count her _______ for Jim.

(a) love (b) feeling (c) passion (d) regard

28. The combs were tied in a _______________.

(a) gift wrap (b) a piece of paper (c) in a cloth (d) in a handkerchief

29. Jim said that nothing like a haircut could make me __________ for you.

(a) forgetful (b) careless (c) uncaring (d) inconsiderate

30. Della said that with the gold chain, Jim would have to look at his watch ________times a day.

(a) many (b) hundred (c) ten (d) None of these

31. Who were the first to give Christmas gifts?

(a) Jim and Della (b) their parents (c) Jesus Christ (d) The Magi

32. For whom did The Magi bring gifts?

(a) newborn Christ-child (b) Della (c) Jim (d) None of these

 

Q: How much did Della save for Christmas?

Ans. Della had saved one dollar and eighty-seven cents for Christmas. She had done it by putting aside one cent, then another, and then another in her careful buying of meat and other food. She wanted to buy something worthwhile for her husband Jim to give him as a Christmas gift.

Q: Why did Della feel proud of the beauty of her hair?

Ans. Della had beautiful long hair. Her hair was so beautiful that it would make even a queen envious. They shine like a falling stream of brown water. Della knew that her hair was more precious than any queen’s jewels and gifts.

Q: Why did Della sell her hair?

Ans. Della sold her hair to get some money. It was a day before Christmas and she wanted to buy a gift for her husband. She wanted to buy something worthwhile but she did not have enough money. Therefore, she decided to sell the only valuable thing that she had, her hair to buy a gift for her husband.

Q: Why did Jim sell the gold watch?

Ans. Jim sold his gold watch in order to buy the combs for her wife’s beautiful hair. She wanted to have those combs but they were so expensive that she did not ever think of owning them. Jim knew that and he decided to buy those combs for his wife. Therefore, he had to sell his gold watch in order to buy those combs.

Q: Why did they want to exchange gifts?

Ans. They wanted to exchange gifts to express their deep love for each other. It was Christmas time and people exchange gifts on Christmas but they did not want to buy some ordinary gifts. Both wanted to buy something special and extraordinary for each other to show their love.

Q: Why did Della feel sad about losing her hair?

Ans. Della felt sad about losing her hair because it was the most valuable thing she owned. Her hair was her asset and her unique possession. It was not that she loved her hair more than her husband or she was feeling any remorse. The only thing that made her sad was the thought of how Jim would feel about her after she had lost her hair.

Q: Why did Jim not welcome her when he stepped in?

Ans. Jim did not welcome her when he stepped in because she appeared strange to him. She had tried to cover the sad marks of her sacrifice but without her hair, she looked like a schoolboy. Jim appeared surprised and he was trying to understand the change in her.

Q: What did he bring out of his coat pocket?

Ans. Jim brought out combs from inside his coat tied in a paper. Della loved those combs for a long time and wanted to have them but they were too expensive for them to buy. She had looked at them without the least hope of owning them. Now, Jim had brought the very combs she loved but she had not her hair to comb.

 

How
beautiful was the gold watch chain?

She had searched every shop in the city to find something valuable and suitable for Jim. Then in a shop, she found this gold watch chain. She immediately knew that this was it. It was a simply made watch chain whose value was in its rich and pure material. It was so plain and simple that you know that it was very valuable. All good things are like that. The watch had the same quietness and value as Jim.

Q: What was the wisdom in selling the most valuable things?

Ans. Apparently, there seemed little wisdom in selling the most valuable things to buy a Christmas present. Both of them sold their most valuable assets and bought things which were now, of no use to them. But after close analysis, it is clear that both loved each other more than anything else. Their act of selling their most valuable asset shows that both can sacrifice for the happiness of each other. They both sold their valuables just to bring a smile to each other’s faces. It indicates that they value each other more than any material possession. They are the epitome of love and sacrifice.