Gift of the Magi
Objective:
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The students will be able to identify the following aspects of the story: setting,
character.
The students will discuss some of the possible conflicts that could arise in the story.
The students will identify the major and minor themes.
The students will identify the irony in the story.
The students will relate the themes to a common saying or proverb.
The students will develop and perform a new ending to the story or continuation of the
story.
Materials:
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Copy of the story for each student.
Copy of the vocabulary list for each student
PowerPoint for lessons
hair combs and pocket watch chain (optional)
Whose line is it? game pieces
Vocabulary:
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See following page for a list of vocabulary
Preparation:
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Have the students pre-read the story before class using the vocabulary list to help them
understand the story.
Terms & Definitions
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adornments: (noun) something that adds attractiveness
appertaining: (verb) to belong to
assertion: (noun) statement or declaration
chaste: (adjective) stainless
chronicle: (noun) record of events
 Coney Island Chorus girl: This is not altogether flattering, nor is it altogether bad. A
chorus girl might have her hair cut short for any number of reasons -- to fit under a
costume hat or wig. Also, she may have worried that Jim would think she looks like a
cheap dancer because of the Coney Island reference; whereas, if she'd said
"Broadway," she'd be feeling a little better about her new look.
 coveted: (verb) to wish for
 depreciate: (verb) to reduce in value
 discreet scrutiny: careful search
 ecstatic: (adjective) extremely happy
 fob: (noun) a small pocket just below the waistline in trousers for a watch, keys,
or change
 generous: (adjective) giving
 gradually: (adverb) changing slowly step by step
 hashed metaphor: something used to represent something else and seems mixed up
 hysterical: (adjective) uncontrollably emotional.
 imputation: (noun) the act of imputing; insinuation; accused of or attributed
to something
 inconsequential: (adjective) unimportant
 idiocy: (noun) something notably stupid or foolish
 instigate: (verb) to urge on or stir up
 intoxication : (noun)overpowering exhilaration or excitement of the mind or emotions.
 mammoth: (adjective) huge, very large
 mendicancy: (noun) police who arrest beggars and homeless people
 meretricious: (adjective) attractive by a show of flashy or vulgar attraction
 moral reflection: right thought, idea, or opinion formed or a remark made as a
result of meditation
 parsimony: (noun) the quality of being careful with money or resources; thrift; stingy
 peculiar: (adjective) strange
 pier-glass: (noun) a tall mirror, often full-length, intended to be set between windows.
 predominant: (adjective) most common or main or dominating thing
 prosperous: (adjective) successful and wealthy
 prudence: (noun) caution with regard to practical matters
 ransacking: (verb) to search through every part
 ravages: (verb) damage
 sentiments: (noun) an attitude toward something, opinion
 subsiding: (verb) to become quiet
 tresses: (noun) long locks of hair or curls
 truant: (noun) someone who avoids doing his or her duty; someone who is skipping
school without permission
 vanish: (verb) disappear
 vestibule: (noun) a passage, hall, or antechamber between the outer door and the
interior parts of a house or building
Session One:
1. Be sure to have the students pre-read the story the night before.
2. Discuss the topic of Gifts
 Do you celebrate Christmas in China?
 What are some of the ways that you observe Christmas?
 What are some other times of the year when people in China like to give or
exchange gifts?
 What is the best gift you've ever received?
3. Discuss the story page by page.
 Break into small groups with an American in each group.
 Discuss the story with the class
 You may even ask for volunteers to read aloud portions of the story to emphasis
a specific event.
4. Discuss the setting (The setting of a story answers the questions of where and when the story takes
place.)
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What is the setting of the story?
Think about time and place.
5. Name the characters in the story.
6. Play the games
 Whose line is it?- Have the student name which character speaks the following
lines . You can discuss what these lines tell us about the character?
 Right Order - Have the students put the statements in sequential order. This
should be a timed game.
Session Two:
1. Discuss the conflicts in the story.
 Notes:
The conflict is supposedly the moment where the "problem" in the story appears,
but this story began right from the first with a problem. In "Gift of the Magi" the
point of conflict actually solves the first problem and replaces it with a second. By
selling her hair, Della gets the money to buy Jim a great present, eliminating the
first problem through decisive action. Shortly thereafter she finds the perfect
present, so neither the money nor the present is the issue any longer. But now
there's a new problem: will Jim be pleased by Della's action and appreciate her
gift, or will he be angry with her for parting with the hair he loved so much?
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Discuss in small groups the conflicts that could arise in a story like this?
Name the conflicts in the story.
2. Introduce the concept of theme in a short story.
3. Play select a theme
 Display a list of common general themes in literature.
 Think of some stories or movies that you are familiar with and try to identify some
of the themes in them.
 Have the students select seven themes can be found in the story.
 Rank the seven themes identified above from 1-7 with 1 being the main theme in
the story and 7 the least important minor theme.
 Beauty: Della is worried that Jim won't think she is beautiful with
short hair, but Jim loves her for more than just her beautiful
hair and how she looks. If you really love somebody, they
are beautiful no matter how they look.
 Family: Jim and Della are husband and wife and they love each
other. Jim's watch was given to him by his father and has
been in his family for many years. Still, he sacrifices it out of
love for Della.
 Giving: Della and Jim both feel that it is important to give nice gifts
to each other to express their love.
 Identity: Della learns that Jim loves her for just for being herself, not
because of her hair or the Christmas present she buys him.
 Love: Because Jim and Della love each other, there is really no
need to prove their love by buying gifts for each other.
 Love: is the greatest gift. Money Della and Jim sell valuable
things to get money to buy gifts for each other, because they
are poor.
 Sacrifice: Both Della and Jim give up valuable possessions so they
can buy Christmas gifts for each other.
 Wisdom: Della and Jim were wise because they were willing to make
sacrifices to show their love for each other.
4. Relate a theme to a common saying or proverb.
 "Love is the greatest gift of all."
 "Money can't buy you love."
 "A gift must come from the heart."
 "Beauty comes from within."
5. Introduce the concept of irony using the power point.
6. Pair Work
 Ask the students to think which type(s) of irony might apply to the story
 Have the students write down at least two types of irony and locate the text as
proof.
 Situational Irony: Della finds herself with beautiful hair combs but no hair
in which to put them. Jim finds himself with a grand chain and fob for his
pocket watch but no pocket watch to attach them to. This is ironic because
there is a discrepancy between the expectation on the part of the
giver/recipient and the fulfillment of the gifts that they give/receive.
 Final Thoughts: Jim and Della are poor, but they love each other. Their
gifts are selfless. I'm sure that Jim and Della would not always be poor. In
the story they're young, just starting out. After a few years of working hard,
they'd probably find themselves moving up in the world, their
circumstances no doubt improving, but I'd bet no gifts would ever be as
precious as the ones they gave each other that Christmas.
Session Three:
1. Plot a new ending for the story.
 Imagine what might happen if perhaps the wife made her purchase, but the
husband did not sacrifice to make a purchase for her
 Break into groups of two
 An American should monitor the progress of each pair
2. Perform Skits
3. Discussion: What do you think this little story, written almost a century ago, has to say
about our consumer society today? Do you think that we often equate love with
money? Consider advertising, the amount of money we spend on gifts, the value
placed on having many possessions.
4. If extra time teach the following Jazz Chant
Boys:
My heart is sad, my soul is weary
Christmas day is fast appear'n.
I have no silver, I have no gold
To buy my wife a gift this year.
To see her sad on Christmas morning
Is a thing I cannot bear
I’ll pawn the watch my father gave me
To buy a comb for her hair
Girls:
My heart is sad, my soul is weary
Christmas day is fast appear'n.
I have no silver, I have no gold
To buy my love a gift this year.
For I am poor, I have no money
I’ll trade my hair that is the plan
I'll buy a chain for my honey
To make his watch look grand.
Boys:
Darling, darling my dearest darling
What has become of your hair?
For I’ve traded my only treasure
These silver combs for your hair.
Girls:
Jim, Jim, my dearest Jim
My gift is a platinum chain.
We have pawned away our treasures,
These gifts we give are not in vain.
All:
The wise men came on Christmas morning
Their gifts of love they came to bear
From that day on always remember
Our true love forever share"
OUR TRUE LOVE FOREVER SHARE!
The Gift of the Magi
Story Order
1. ___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________
Themes
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Irony
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Love is the greatest gift of all !
Jazz Chant:
Boys:
My heart is sad, my soul is weary
Christmas day is fast appear'n.
I have no silver, I have no gold
To buy my wife a gift this year.
To see her sad on Christmas morning
Is a thing I cannot bear
I’ll pawn the watch my father gave me
To buy a comb for her hair
Girls:
My heart is sad, my soul is weary
Christmas day is fast appear'n.
I have no silver, I have no gold
To buy my love a gift this year.
For I am poor, I have no money
I’ll trade my hair that is the plan
I'll buy a chain for my honey
To make his watch look grand.
Boys:
Darling, darling my dearest darling
What has become of your hair?
For I’ve traded my only treasure
These silver combs for your hair.
Girls:
Jim, Jim, my dearest Jim
My gift is a platinum chain.
We have pawned away our treasures,
These gifts we give are not in vain.
All:
The wise men came on Christmas morning
Their gifts of love they came to bear
From that day on always remember
Our true love forever share"
OUR TRUE LOVE FOREVER SHARE!