The Gift of Magi
Outline
I. Theme (Apura)
A. Sacrifice and unconditional love
1. Della and Jim’s most prized possessions were sacrificed just to give
each other presents for Christmas.
B. Poverty
1. The main characters' social status and lack of money.
II. Exposition (David)
A. We are introduced to Jim and Della.
1. They are a married couple living in New York.
2. They are broke.
a. Della only has one dollar and eighty-seven cents on her.
b. Jim’s $30 weekly income has decreased to only $20 a week.
B. They each possess something that they treasure deeply.
1. Jim owns a gold watch–that had been his father’s, and his
grandfather’s.
2. Della adored her beautiful long hair.
III. Rising Action (Villamil)
A. Della does not have enough money to buy Jim a Christmas gift
1. She has been putting a penny aside everyday so she could eventually
buy Jim a gift. Della decides to sell her hair and goes to visit Madame
Sofronie. This is followed by her shopping trip to buy Jim's gift.
B. Jim suffered 30% pay cut
1. He sold his wrist watch that had been in his family for many years to
buy Della an expensive set of combs for Della which she had been
yearning for a long time. It was made of tortoise shells and had
jewelled rims.
IV. Climax (Apura)
A. Della sold her long hair to Mrs. Sofronie to buy Jim a watch.
1. Cuts her hair into a very short length.
2. Della was paid $20 for her beautiful hair. She used that money to find
her husband the perfect gift.
B. Jim sold his gold watch that he inherited from his father to buy Della a comb.
V. Falling Action (Calahati)
A. Della waits for Jim to come home
1. She nervously waits for Jim thinking he might not like her new haircut.
2. Jim comes back and looks at Della with a puzzled face.
3. Della asks Jim if his love will change because of her new
look.
4. Jim asked Della what happened and told her that no matter
what she looks like his love will never change.
B. The couple surprises each other
1. Jim gives Della his gift, a beautiful comb with jewels. Della
cried and jumped with joy.
2. Della then hands Jim her gift, a beautiful gold chain to
wear along his watch.
3. Both of them sold each other’s precious items just to offer
each one a gift to celebrate Christmas.
VI. Conclusion (Gabon & Sta.Romana)
A. Jim and Della were foolish in buying each other useless gifts.
1. In conclusion, The Gift of the Magi is a kind and inspiring story about
two young people truly loving each other
2. Their love is revealed by their willingness to sacrifice the most
valuable things they own to bring joy to each other.
3. Apart from the theme of affection, the story is concerned about the
concepts of poverty and wealth.
4. It asserts that rich people are not those with much money, but those
who love and are loved in return.