The Gift of Magi
Ans: The magi were those wise men from the East who wanted to celebrate the their Christmas by taking valuable gifts of gold to the baby Jesus Christ. The Magi were the remarkable characters to make the Christ happy with their gifts. They are the figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas and are an important part of Christian tradition.
Q. How were they attached to attached to each other in the story?
Ans: Della and Jim were so much attached that they could do anything for each other. To prove her deepest love Della sold her most valued hair only for $ 20 because she needed money to buy a present for Jim. She bought a gold chain for Jim's gold watch. On the other hand, Jim sold his valuable gold watch to buy a set of combs which was liked by Della.
Q. What is the central idea of “The Gift of Magi”?
Ans. The central idea of the lesson "The Gift of the Magi" is that of love, generosity, and poverty. In this story, a poor, loving young couple sell the only valuable things they own to give each other special Christmas gifts. Della sells her beautiful hair sell for $ 20 so as to buy Jim a gold watch chain whereas Jim sells his forefather's valuable watch to buy some hair combs Della . These gifts are useless, in one sense; Della cannot wear her combs without her hair, and Jim, without his watch, cannot use his watch chain. Nevertheless, Jim’s remark is also a comment on the value of the gifts. This story teaches us the lesson of self-sacrifice for the sake of love. Gifts given to others with such sacrifice in the name of love are the wisest gifts.
Q. How much did she save for Christmas?
Ans. All the amount of money Della had was one dollar and eighty seven cents through bargaining while buying meat and food. She saved money through careful buying only because she wanted to purchase a beautiful Christmas gift for Jim. Though this money was not enough, she doing her level best to show her deep love for Jim.
Ans. Della wanted to buy a gift for Jim but when Della found no other way to get money, she turned hopeless and started weeping desperately. At the very same moment, the idea of selling her long beautiful hair came to her mind; therefore, she rushed to Sofronie's Shop to whom she was to sell her hair.
Ans. Of all the things Della chose gold watch chain for Jim because it had both quietness and value like Jim, and was made of pure material. But Jim’s watch had never a good chain and he always avoided to take out watch from his pocket in public places. This was the manifestation of her deepest love for Jim, her husband.
Q. How essential is the setting of the story? Could the story have taken place at another time?
Ans: I like the setting and think it is important. The amount of money Della had and how she sold her hair wouldn't work in 400 B.C or in modern times. 2. How do the sacrifices of Jim and Della compare to each other? Ultimately, Della's hair will grow back. Jim, however, sold a family heirloom which can not exactly be replaced. I believe that Jim has more entitlement to crying over his loss than Della does, especially since Jim doesn't actually care if Della's hair is short, and Della rarely leaves the house.
Q. Do you think that Jim and Della appreciated their gifts?
Jim and Della clearly appreciated their gifts, although neither were usable. It was the thought that counted, because both of them had to get rid of their most prized possessions in order to give the other person a gift.
Q. Would the personalities of Jim and Della change if they were better off financially?
If you think about the stereotypes of rich people, yes. Having everything you want at your fingertips can definitely impact their personalities. Jim and Della are kept humbled by being poor and having only each other.
Q. Why do you think the story compares Jim and Della to the Magi?
The true value of a gift lies in the sacrifice involved in it. The Magi gave their most valuable possessions to Jesus, who was a sacrificial gift himself. Both the characters in this story and the biblical Magi gave their most precious belongings for the benefit of somebody else.
HSSC 1, FBISE, Book 1, FG Board, English Notes
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