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

directindirect

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direct

Question 3

directindirect

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indirect

Question 4

✔ indirect characterizationdirect characterization

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ indirect characterization

Question 5

directindirect

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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

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

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

Question 7

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 8

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

Question 9

indirect characterization✔ direct characterization

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ direct characterization

Question 10

✔ indirect characterizationdirect characterization

Revolt · Accepted Answer

✔ indirect characterization

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

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