Name
Date
“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
Literary Analysis: Conflict
Like a novel, a short story has a plot. However, the plot of a short story is usually simpler
than that of a novel because the writer must accomplish his or her purpose in relatively few
words. The plot, therefore, typically involves one or two main characters who face one major
problem, or conflict. A conflict is a struggle between opposing forces and can be external or
internal. An external conflict involves a struggle with an outside force, such as another character or an aspect of society. When a conflict occurs within a character, it is internal.
DIRECTIONS: In the following chart, identify the external and internal conflicts in “The Gift of
the Magi.” Use the information in each box at the top to help you identify each conflict. Then
answer the questions that follow.
Information
It is Christmas.
Della has no extra money after paying
the bills.
External Conflict
Information
Della wants to buy Jim a gift.
The only way she can make money for a
gift is to sell her hair.
Internal Conflict
1. How do you think these two conflicts are related?
2. How do you think these conflicts contribute to the impact of the story?
34 Literary Analysis for Enrichment
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