Skip to main content

What do we learn about Jim and Della in the first five paragraphs of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The married couple Della and Jim live meagerly with few possessions in a furnished apartment. Jim makes $20 a week at a job where he used to make $30. When Jim was making $30 a week, the couple placed a name card on their mailbox which read "Mr. James Dillingham Young." Now that he makes less, the middle name Dillingham looks blurred (in an example of personification, the letters themselves are contemplating contracting to a...

The married couple Della and Jim live meagerly with few possessions in a furnished apartment. Jim makes $20 a week at a job where he used to make $30. When Jim was making $30 a week, the couple placed a name card on their mailbox which read "Mr. James Dillingham Young." Now that he makes less, the middle name Dillingham looks blurred (in an example of personification, the letters themselves are contemplating contracting to a simple D. because of Jim's pay cut). With Christmas approaching, Della is trying to save money for a gift, but has accumulated only one dollar and eighty-seven cents. Sixty cents of this money has been garnered through "close dealing" with the grocer, vegetable man, and butcher. This bargaining causes Della's cheeks to burn over the idea that she has to be so stingy with her money. She counts the money three times and finally breaks down and cries on her "shabby little couch."

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...

What are some tensions between men and women in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has... Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has nightmares about Caesar’s death. She claims that she is not naturally super...