’The Gift of the Magi’ by O. Henry and ’The Necklace’ by Guy de Maupassant are two short stories that share some similarities. Namely‚ they are both ironic. The two main characters in both also happen to be husband and wife and make sacrifices for their spouse. The husband in ’The Necklace’ is a ’thrifty clerk’ who doesn’t like to spend too much money. After implored by his wife‚ he gives her the money that he saved up for a rifle so she could buy a nice dress instead. The husband in ’The Gift of
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“Selfless love” The story I chose to write about is The Gift of the Magi‚ which was written in 1906 by O. Henry. The Gift of Magi is about a young married couple on Christmas Eve trying to rummage up enough money to buy each other better than average gifts. There are many elements in this story that support the overall theme. The setting‚ symbolism‚ character‚ point of view‚ and tone all tie the main theme together which is selfless love. The setting of the story takes place in New York City
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Milton McFarland ENC 1102 January 2‚ 2015 Archetypal Critical Theory: Gift of the Magi In literature‚ symbolism is crucial to portray the author’s vision for the story. Each ornament presented through the story line can be viewed as a symbol that can potentially be related to the literature. Likewise‚ there are specific details‚ such as characters and setting‚ which are also symbolic [at times]. O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” gives portrays archetypal literary criticism structure. Henry’s piece
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Compare and Contrast Essay on Short Stories Dragons‚ witches‚ princesses and knights. These are the imaginary friends in so many children’s lives. For young adults‚ those fairy tale characters give way to darker characters and more realistic situations. However‚ what do they all have in common? They live in short stories. Two short stories that are interesting are "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant and "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. Both center around two woman who are both wanting things
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In “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl‚ the author illustrates the theme of don’t judge a book by it’s cover through his masterful use of plot‚ characterization‚ and dramatic irony. In “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl‚ Mrs. Maloney is a housewife who caters to her husband‚ Patrick Maloney. One day Mr. Maloney comes home acting strangely. Mrs. Maloney tries to make him feel better but it doesn’t work. Mr. Maloney tells his wife something that makes her so mad‚ she kills him. She covers up her
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An Analysis of Elements in Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” In Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi”‚ the reader is introduced to Della‚ whose financial instabilities overwhelm her as well as her husband Jim. However‚ Della maintains being a loving‚ devoted‚ and selfless wife with only one thing to live for‚ Jim. Jim is the sole breadwinner; he works long hours for very little pay. Things become more arduous when his pay was cut from thirty dollars a week to twenty dollars a week. He and
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In the short story‚ "The Gift of the Magi‚" written by O. Henry‚ Mr. and Mrs. James Dillingham Young are in for a big surprise. At Christmastime‚ they each make a sacrifice that is hard to bear‚ but the results show that it pays off. The hard trials they must endure make them realize that unconditional love is more important than material possessions. Since Jim and Della live in a dilapidated flat‚ they obviously don’t have a lot of money. In order to give a gift‚ each one sold his or her most prized
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In the story “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl‚ a man named Patrick Maloney informs his wife that he desired a divorce. In the 1950’s at the Maloney Household‚ Patrick Maloney arrives homefrom his work as a policeman. Patrick Maloney was married to Mary Maloney. Mary Maloney was pregnant with Patrick Maloney’s child. When Patrick Maloney entered the household‚ he bore bad news for his young wife. He explained to Mary that he was in love with another woman‚ and demanded to have a divorce. Mary
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Argument Paragragh for Lamb to the Slaughter Mary Maloney‚ in the short story “Lamb to the Slaughter” is not guilty by the reason of insanity. This is when the crime is committed but the person who committed it couldn’t tell if it was wrong or right. During the murder‚ Mary doesn’t know what she is doing. “Her first instinct was not to believe any of it‚ to reject it all... When she walked across the room she couldn’t feel anything at all–except a slight nausea and a desire to vomit. Everything
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Literary Analysis of The Gift of the Magi The twists and turns of the plot as it unfolds within O. Henry ’s “The Gift of the Magi” are what simply captivate the reader in such a short amount of pages. The story of Jim and Della on a cold Christmas Eve at the turn of 20th century America is centered around what is remarkably relevant to what many readers have experienced in their own lives; the inevitable stresses‚ sacrifices‚ and joys of the holiday season. Strapped for cash and wanting to give
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