4.6 The Gift of the Magi - Class 10 - Kumarbharati

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3 days ago
4 min read

Author: O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)

Genre: Short Story

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Std X

Board: Maharashtra State Board

Summary

Della and Jim are a young, poor married couple deeply in love. It is Christmas Eve, and Della has only $1.87 to buy Jim a gift. Determined to give him something worthy, she sells her beautiful long hair for $20 and buys a platinum fob chain for his prized gold watch. Meanwhile, Jim sells his gold watch to buy a set of jeweled combs for Della’s hair. When they exchange gifts, they realise the irony of their sacrifices—each has given up their most treasured possession to buy something for the other. The story ends with the narrator calling them the wisest gift-givers, comparing them to the biblical Magi.

Theme / Central Idea

The story conveys that love, sacrifice, and selflessness are more valuable than material possessions. True gifts come from the heart, not the price tag.

Character Sketches

Della

Young, loving, and devoted wife
Has beautiful, long brown hair reaching below her knees
Determined to give Jim a special Christmas gift despite financial hardship
Selfless and willing to sacrifice her prized possession
Emotional but strong in her decisions

Jim

Young, caring, and hardworking husband
Owns a gold watch passed down from his father and grandfather
Equally selfless, sells his watch to buy Della the combs she desires
Thoughtful and understanding, values love over material items

Word Meanings

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Parsimony	Extreme unwillingness to spend money
Imputation	An indirect accusation
Agile	Quick and light in movement
Cascade	A small waterfall or flow resembling one
Prudence	Cautiousness, good judgment
Coveted	Greatly desired
Inconsequential	Not important
Chronicle	A factual written account of events
Assertion	A confident statement
Predominating	Having greater importance or influence
Trance	A half-conscious state

Grammar Questions

Q1. Identify the infinitive:

Della decided to buy a special gift for Jim.

→ Infinitive: to buy – shows purpose.

Q2. Change to indirect speech:

Jim said, “Let’s put our Christmas presents away.”

→ Jim suggested that they should put their Christmas presents away.

(Explanation: “Let’s” changes to “should” in indirect suggestion.)

Q3. Identify the modal:

You must be careful while spending money.

→ Modal: must – expresses necessity.

Q4. Change to present perfect tense:

Della sold her hair to buy a gift.

→ Della has sold her hair to buy a gift.

(Explanation: Present perfect connects past action to present result.)

Q5. Frame a Wh-question:

Jim sold his gold watch to buy the combs.

→ What did Jim sell to buy the combs?

Personal Response Questions

Q1. What makes the sacrifices of Della and Jim special?

→ The sacrifices of Della and Jim are special because they show the depth of their love. Each willingly gave up their most valuable possession to bring happiness to the other, proving that love is about giving selflessly.

Q2. How does the story define the true value of a gift?

→ The story defines the true value of a gift as the love, thought, and sacrifice behind it rather than its price. Even though the gifts became useless, their emotional worth was immeasurable.

Q3. What is your opinion about calling them ‘the Magi’?

→ Calling them ‘the Magi’ is appropriate because, like the wise men of the Bible, they gave gifts that were thoughtful and precious in spirit. Their wisdom lay in valuing love over possessions.

True or False

Della had $1.87 to buy a gift for Jim. → True
Jim bought a gold watch for Della. → False
Della’s hair reached below her knees. → True

Probable Board Questions

Q1. Why did Della sell her hair and what does this reveal about her character?

→ Della sold her hair to buy a platinum fob chain for Jim’s gold watch. This reveals her deep love, selflessness, and determination to bring joy to her husband, even at a personal cost.

Q2. How is irony used in the story?

→ The irony lies in the fact that both Della and Jim sacrificed their most prized possessions to buy gifts that the other could no longer use. This twist emphasises the theme of love and sacrifice.

Q3. Why are Della and Jim considered wise gift-givers?

→ Della and Jim are considered wise because they understood that the spirit of giving lies in selflessness. Their gifts symbolise true love rather than material value.

Q4. What role do the couple’s prized possessions play in the story?

→ The prized possessions—the gold watch and Della’s hair—represent their pride and identity. Giving them up for each other’s happiness highlights the strength of their relationship.

Reflection Paragraph

The Gift of the Magi is a touching tale of love and sacrifice. Through Della and Jim’s actions, O. Henry shows that true wealth lies not in material things but in the willingness to give selflessly. The story remains timeless because it celebrates the values of generosity, devotion, and emotional connection over material possessions.

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