Characterization, Theme, and Irony in "The Gift of the Magi"

Question 1

Read each quotation from the story, and then decide whether the author is using direct or indirect characterization.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

“Della, being slender, had mastered the art.”: direct characterization; “Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the ‘Sofronie.’”: direct characterization; “‘Twenty dollars,’ said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand.”: indirect characterization; “Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain.”: indirect characterization

Question 2

indirect characterization✔ direct characterization

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ direct characterization

Question 3

✔ indirect characterizationdirect characterization

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ indirect characterization

Question 4

✔ indirect characterizationdirect characterization

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ indirect characterization

Question 5

directindirect

Revolt · Accepted Answer

direct; “He looked thin and very serious.”: direct; “He was only twenty-two.”: direct; “He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves.”: indirect

Question 6

directindirect

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direct

Question 7

directindirect

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indirect

Question 8

Based on evidence in the passage, what inference can be made about Della?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

Della is proud of her beautiful hair and feels scared and sad about giving it up.

Question 9

Which sentence supports the inference that Jim loves Della for more than just her looks?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

“I don’t think there’s anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.”

Question 10

Read each quotation from the story, and then decide whether the author is using direct or indirect characterization.

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ direct characterization; “Della, being slender, had mastered the art.”: direct characterization; “Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the ‘Sofronie.’”: direct characterization; “‘Twenty dollars,’ said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand.”: indirect characterization; “Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain.”: indirect characterization

Characterization, Theme, and Irony in "The Gift of the Magi" Answers

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