The Gift of the Magi — O. Henry

問 1 / 6

The opening sentence is famously simple: 'One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all.' Why does O. Henry begin with such a stark, almost child-like sentence? What emotional tone does it establish?

問 2 / 6

O. Henry compares Della's hair to 'the Queen of Sheba's jewels' and Jim's watch to 'King Solomon's treasures'. Why these specific biblical references? Trace the title 'Gift of the Magi' back to its biblical source (Matthew 2:1–12).

問 3 / 6

The story's twist depends on a kind of cosmic irony — both characters sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a gift that becomes useless. Is this tragic, or is it the deepest expression of love?

問 4 / 6

The narrator concludes that Della and Jim are 'the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest.' Why does he call them wisest, not most loving? What does this say about wisdom?

問 5 / 6

How does O. Henry's vision of Christmas (centered on sacrifice, not consumption) compare with today's commercialized Christmas? Can the story still speak to us in the era of Amazon and online shopping?

問 6 / 6

Translate the final paragraph into Japanese. Notice how the rhythm and biblical echo of the English might or might not survive in translation.