Analysis of the story about Henry the Gifts of the Magi. Analysis of the story "The Gifts of the Magi"

Lesson type: text study lesson work of art.

Class: 6

Lesson type: a lesson in artistic perception.

Lesson form: heuristic conversation

Methods:

1. creative reading method
   • role reading
   • first person reading
2. reproductive
3. heuristic

TCO: assessment sheets, image of the monument to the book of O. Henry<Picture 1>, portrait of a writer<Figure 2>

Goals:

1. educational:
   • determine the true and false values In human life;
   • explain the meaning of the story's title;
   • characterize the author's understanding of wisdom and happiness;
2. mental development:
   • develop students' attention;
   • form logical thinking during text analysis;
3. educational:
   • develop a sense of respect and self-esteem;
   • define true values as spiritual;
4. creative: provide an opportunity to show creativity.

Epigraph:

A gift is a blessing to the giver.
F. Herbert

During the classes

I.Updating basic knowledge. Perception mindset.

I want to start our conversation today with an unusual question:

Who do you think people erect monuments to?

Why do people receive such an honor?

Why, in your opinion, can a monument to a book be erected?

And it was this honor that was awarded to the work of the writer O. Henry. His stone book, 2 meters high, stands open in the USA in the city of Greensboro. I think it is not difficult to guess which story it is revealed in.

And today we have to continue our acquaintance with the personality of the writer and try to understand what unusual is hidden in the story “The Gifts of the Magi”.

The topic of our lesson sounds like this: “True and false values ​​in O. Henry’s story “The Gift of the Magi.”

Try to determine lesson objectives?

At the end of the lesson we must answer main question: which values ​​are true and which are false, who is truly happy and wise, according to the writer?

II. Working with associations. Student messages.

Let's look at the title of the story.

What associations does the word evoke in you? "gift" ?

ABOUT: gift – goodness, love, joy, holiday, mother

Let's open the board with the dictionary definition and ask students to read the dictionary definition and add additions to their associations: gift – donation, ability, talent.

Let us turn to the epigraph “A gift is a blessing to the giver.” What characteristic of the word “gift” can be taken from the epigraph?

ABOUT: gift - blessing

Listen to a report about the writer's life and write down O. Henry's character traits in your notebook.

Student message:

O. Henry's real name was William Sidney Porter. .

He is the author of more than 280 stories, sketches, and humorous jokes. He was born in Greensboro in the USA. His life was unhappy since childhood. When he was three years old, his mother died of tuberculosis. His father sent him to live with his aunt. The child stood out at school sharp mind, rich imagination and the ability to draw with one hand and simultaneously solve arithmetic problems with the other. After school, the young man began working in his uncle's pharmacy, but at the age of 19 he developed a cough similar to tuberculosis, and a family friend suggested that William go to work on a ranch in Texas, a state with a dry and hot climate. The ranch owner had a rich library, the young cowboy read a lot and began to write stories himself, however, he did not try to offer them to anyone and soon destroyed them. But two years later William went to the big one, to the concepts of that time, city of Austin.

Here he changed several professions. He worked in a cigar shop, in a real estate company, learned to play the guitar and sang in a quartet, which was eagerly invited to picnics and weddings. He published humorous drawings in magazines that brought neither money nor fame.

After getting married, W. Porter decided to settle down and went to work as a cashier at the First National Bank of Austin. When the embezzlement was discovered, Porter was charged with theft. All his friends and colleagues swore that the young cashier could not have embezzled money from investors, and the court cleared Porter of all charges. Nevertheless, William left the bank, went to Houston and began working for a local newspaper as an artist and columnist. However, the auditors began to dig deeper and discovered a great disorder and shortage in the bank books - this time of $4,703.

In January 1897 he was arrested. While Porter was awaiting trial, important changes occurred in his life. My wife, who had been ill for a long time, died. The wife's parents took the daughter in with them. One of the American magazines accepted his story from the life of cowboys for publication and asked for more, but the author had no time for the pen. At the trial he behaved indifferently and on April 25, 1898, the aspiring writer was sent to prison for five years.

Here he worked, remembering his youth, in the prison pharmacy. When it was discovered that a certain amount of pharmaceutical alcohol was missing and the pharmacist was suspected, he flared up: “I’m not a thief! I’ve never stolen a single cent in my life! I was accused of embezzlement, but I’m sitting for someone else who pocketed this money!” The pharmacy did not take up much time, and Porter continued to write stories, sending them out through the sister of one of his cellmates. He began to sign his writings with the name “O. Henry.”

For impeccable behavior, the prisoner was released not after five years, but after three years and three months. The stories he wrote in prison were in great demand in magazines, and publishers sent him one hundred dollars so that he could get to New York.

In the first year of his life in New York, Porter published 17 stories; after a few years, he was already releasing a story a week or more; at the height of his popularity, he was paid $500 per story - a lot of money for that time. But there was always not enough money, it flowed out of our hands like sand. He often distributed large bills to the poor, or even brought a homeless tramp to the doctor and paid for treatment and medicine. Bottom big city became the source of his inspiration. O. Henry often spent whole days in dubious drinking establishments, drawing stories from the stories of fellow regulars.

O. Henry often wrote in great haste, driven by the need to recoup a long-spent advance. In 1903, he entered into an agreement with the owner of the World newspaper, Joseph Pulitzer, agreeing to provide a story for each Sunday edition.

One of the editors recalled: “I came asking if the story was ready. “Ready, ready,” the writer answered. And he showed me Blank sheet with the title and number 1 in the corner. Then on the next sheet of paper he wrote a two in the corner, took three more sheets and, writing 5 on the last one, said: “Well, now, with your permission, I’ll take a break.”

In late autumn 1905, O. Henry agreed to write for Pulitzer yuletide story. The promised deadline passed, and the editor received nothing but apologies and excuses. Finally, the artist who was supposed to illustrate the work came to the writer’s closet to get acquainted with the draft and understand what should be drawn. It turned out that there wasn’t even a draft yet. The unfortunate illustrator asked to at least tell him the main idea of ​​​​the story.

“I’ll tell you what to draw, buddy,” the writer replied. “Draw a sparsely furnished room, like the rooming houses that are rented on the West Side. The room has one or two chairs, a chest of drawers, a bed and a closet. The bed has one side on it.” A man and a woman are sitting side by side. They are talking about the approaching Christmas. The man is twirling a pocket watch case in his hands. The woman has a luxurious long hair, falling down the back. That's all I see so far. But the story will come soon."

This is how the story “The Gifts of the Magi” appeared, which was soon translated into all languages ​​of the world.

III. Reading text. Conversation.

Who are the main characters of O. Henry's story?

A: Jim and Della

How is the characters' home described? Find the details the writer uses.

Let's visit a cheap New York apartment together and watch the heroes.

IV. Dramatization of the episode (two participants: Della and the author behind the scenes).

Della: One dollar eighty seven cents. That's all. Of these, sixty cents are in one-cent coins. For each of these coins I had to bargain with the grocer, greengrocer, butcher so that even my ears burned from the silent disapproval that such frugality caused (I counted it three times). One dollar eighty seven cents. And tomorrow is Christmas (cries).

Life consists of tears, sighs and smiles, with sighs predominating. While the owner of the house goes through all these stages, let’s look around the house itself. Furnished apartment for eight dollars a week. The atmosphere is not exactly blatant poverty, but rather eloquently silent poverty. Below, on the front door, there is a letter box, through the crack of which not a single letter could squeeze through, and an electric bell button, from which no mortal could squeeze out a sound. Attached to this was a card with the inscription: "Mr. James Dillingham Young" "Dillingham" ... the letters in the word "Dillingham" faded, as if seriously wondering whether they should be shortened to a modest and unassuming "D"? But when Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and went upstairs to his room, he was invariably greeted by the cry of “Jim!” and the tender embrace of Mrs. James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you under the name of Della. And this is really very nice.

Della finishes crying and brushing the powder on her cheeks. She now stood at the window and looked sadly at gray cat walking along a gray fence along a gray yard.

Della: Tomorrow is Christmas, and I only have one dollar and eighty-seven cents to give to Jim! For many months I saved literally every cent, and this is all I achieved. Twenty dollars a week won't get you very far. The expenses turned out to be more than I expected. This always happens with expenses. Only a dollar and eighty-seven cents for a gift for Jim! To my Jim! I spent so many happy hours thinking about what to give him for Christmas. Something very special, rare, precious, something even slightly worthy of the high honor of belonging to Jim.

Dela bounces off the window and rushes to the mirror. With a quick movement, she pulls out the pins and lets her hair down.

What qualities of Della's character are revealed to us?

What treasures do the heroes have? Find their descriptions.

How is their beauty emphasized?

Why are they superior to the treasures of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon?

How does Della choose a gift? Find the description in the text.

What does she sacrifice for Jimm?

V. Reading by roles. Episode of the meeting of heroes.

Jim stood motionless at the door, like a setter smelling a quail. His eyes settled on Della with an expression she couldn't understand, and she felt scared. It was neither anger, nor surprise, nor reproach, nor horror - none of those feelings that one would expect. He just looked at her, without taking his eyes off, his face did not change its strange expression. Della jumped off the table and rushed towards him.

Jim, honey,” she cried, “don’t look at me like that.” I cut my hair and sold it because I couldn't bear it if I didn't have anything to give you for Christmas. They will grow back. You're not angry, are you? I couldn't do it any other way. My hair grows very quickly. Well, wish me a Merry Christmas, Jim, and let's enjoy the holiday. If only you knew what a gift I prepared for you, what a wonderful, wonderful gift!

Have you cut your hair? - Jim asked with tension, as if, despite the increased work of his brain, he still could not comprehend this fact.

Yes, I cut it and sold it,” said Della. - But you will still love me? I'm still the same, albeit with short hair.

Jim looked around the room in confusion.

So, does that mean your braids are no longer there? - he asked with senseless insistence.

“Don’t look, you won’t find them,” said Della. - I’m telling you: I sold them - I cut them off and sold them. It's Christmas Eve, Jim. Be kind to me, because I did this for you. Maybe the hairs on my head can be counted,” she continued, and her gentle voice suddenly sounded serious, “but no one, no one could measure my love for you!” Fry cutlets, Jim?

And Jim came out of his daze. He pulled his Della into his arms. Let's be modest and take a few seconds to look at some foreign object. What's more - eight dollars a week or a million a year? A mathematician or a sage will give you the wrong answer. The Magi brought precious gifts, but one was missing from them. However, these vague hints will be explained further.

Jim took a package out of his coat pocket and threw it on the table.

Don't get me wrong, Dell,” he said. - No hairstyle or haircut can make me stop loving my girl. But unwrap this package, and then you will understand why I was a little taken aback at first.

White nimble fingers tore at the string and paper. A cry of delight followed, and immediately - alas! - in a purely feminine way, was replaced by a stream of tears and groans, so that it was necessary to immediately use all the sedatives at the disposal of the owner of the house.
For on the table lay combs, the same set of combs - one back and two side ones - which Della had long admired reverently in a Broadway window. Wonderful combs, real tortoiseshell, with shiny stones embedded in the edges, and just the color of her brown hair. They were expensive... Della knew this, and her heart languished and languished for a long time from the unfulfilled desire to possess them. And now they belonged to her, but there are no more beautiful braids that would adorn them with the coveted shine.

Still, she pressed the combs to her chest and, when she finally found the strength to raise her head and smile through her tears, she said:

My hair grows really fast, Jim!

Then she suddenly jumped up like a scalded kitten and exclaimed:

Oh my god!

After all, Jim had not yet seen her wonderful gift. She hastily handed him the chain on her open palm. Matte a precious metal seemed to play in the rays of her stormy and sincere joy.

Isn't it lovely, Jim? I ran all over town until I found this. Now you can check what time it is at least a hundred times a day. Give me the watch. I want to see what it will look like all together.

But Jim, instead of obeying, lay down on the couch, put both hands under his head and

smiled.
“Dell,” he said, “we’ll have to hide our gifts for now, let them lie there for a while.” They are too good for us now. I sold my watch to buy you combs. And now, perhaps, it’s time to fry the cutlets.

How would you characterize Jim's reaction when he walked into the room?

Why did he react this way?

What changes in Jim's behavior can you observe in this episode?

How does Della's reaction change when she sees the ridges?

Can the ending of the story be called happy?

What did the heroes really give each other?

Reply to problematic issue, which we asked at the beginning of the lesson, written in a notebook. Which values ​​are true and which are false? Add your observations from life.

Read several statements.

Consultants evaluate students' work in class.

Homework

1. Message on the topic: “The plot of “The Gift of the Magi” in painting”
2. Create illustrations for text
3. Read and analyze one of O. Henry's stories on your own.

A lesson in wisdom based on O. Henry's story “The Gift of the Magi.”

The theme of love, devotion and sacrifice in O. Henry's story “The Gift of the Magi.”

Compiled by: Russian language teacher and literature MBOU Secondary school No. 5 Noyabrsk Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug Veronika Petrovna Fialkovskaya

Lesson objectives:

- develop the skills of thoughtful reading, reading by role, working with an educational article, analyzing a work of art;

Be able to determine cultural context works;

Reveal the meaning of the concepts: love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, self-sacrifice, gift, wisdom;

Show the writer’s skill in creating images of characters and the environment that surrounds them;

Contribute to instilling in students a sense of kindness and devotion; be able to convey to them the idea of ​​“wisdom of the heart” and the kindness of the story.

Equipment: portrait of O. Henry, exhibition of his books, reproductions of paintings by A. Durer, P.-P. Rubens, L. da Vinci on the theme “The Adoration of the Magi.”

Epigraph for the lesson

It's not about the road we choose; That,

what is inside us makes us choose the path.

During the classes:

Communicating the objectives of the lesson, reading the epigraph.

Teacher's word: Each of us chooses our own path, follows our own path, on which we perform our own actions that are significant for loved ones and necessary for other people and ourselves. May God grant that this road be paved with the happiness of love and mutual understanding. We will talk about this in class today.

Examination homework:

1. Working with the educational article by F. Zolotarevskaya: retelling the writer’s biography (1 student is asked, additions are heard), working with the term “pseudonym”. It is concluded that the writer's real name is William Sidney Porter.

   Reading by heart A Fet's poem (individual task).

The night is quiet. On the unsteady firmament

The southern stars are trembling,

Mother's eyes with a smile

Quiet people look into the manger.

No ears, no extra glances,

The roosters crowed -

And beyond the aigels in the highest

The shepherds praise God.

The manger quietly shines in the eyes,

Mary's face is illuminated.

Star choir to another choir

I listened with trembling ears.

And above Him it burns high

That star of distant lands:

The kings of the East carry with her

Gold, myrrh and frankincense.

1. Expressive reading the story “The Gifts of the Magi” by roles.

Work with text.

Conversation based on the story.

What is said in this story?

How did the story “The Gift of the Magi” make you feel?

Tell us about the characters in the story.

What feelings do the characters in the story have for each other? (Devotion, love, ability to support Hard time, sacrifice the most dear and valuable for the sake of a loved one).

Let's reread the last paragraph of the story.

Who are the Magi? (Sages, soothsayers in the “Song of prophetic Oleg»)

Which wise men are we talking about here: “Those who brought gifts to the baby in the manger”? ( about the biblical wise men).

4. Working with a biblical source. Let us remember one episode from the very beginning of the life of Christ, where the Magi bring gifts to the Baby, rejoicing at his birth.

(Students are given a printout biblical text. The teacher retells and partially reads the Gospel episode of the worship of the Magi).

“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said: “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and came to worship Him." Hearing this, King Herod was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. And, having gathered all the high priests and scribes of the people, he asked them: "Where should Christ be born?" They said. to him: “In Bethlehem of Judah, for thus it is written through the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least of the provinces of Judah; for from you will come a Leader who will shepherd My people Israel." Then Herod, secretly calling the wise men, found out from them the time of the appearance of the star. And, sending them to Bethlehem, he said: "Go, carefully investigate the Child and, when you find it, inform me, so that I too can go and worship Him." They, having listened to the king, went: and the star, which they saw in the east, walked in front of them, when finally it came and stopped in front of the place where the Child was. Seeing the star, they rejoiced with very great joy. And entering the house, they saw the Child together with Mary His Mother, and falling down, they worshiped Him; and opening their treasures, they brought Him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh (incense). And, having received a revelation in a dream, return to Herod, they went to their own country by another route (Matt. 2.1-12).

So, what gifts did the wise men bring to Baby Jesus? (Gold and fragrant substances: frankincense and myrrh). In those days, incense was as expensive as gold.
Magi are sages, soothsayers. They saw a star in the East and followed it. The star walked in front of them, and finally stopped over the place where the Child was. Entering the house, they saw Jesus with Mother Mary, and, opening their treasures, they brought him gifts: gold and incense: incense and myrrh, which at that time were worth the same as gold.

The episode of the meeting of the Magi and the newborn baby, as well as other episodes of the gospel history, was often addressed by artists different eras. In the reproductions you can see an illustration of the episode you read ( reproductions are shown).

Is it possible to compare the main characters of the story with the Magi? Why?

Let's turn to the text.

Differentiated tasks based on the story (in groups). Level differentiation (Students are divided into groups according to their level of knowledge, interests, abilities, and rate of learning the material).

Groups 1 and 2 - completing the task according to the sample. Give characteristics to the main characters of the work according to the plan provided (group 1 - Della, group 2 - Jim).

Determining the place of the hero in the work.

Speech characteristics.

Description of household items, housing, clothing, living conditions, as a means of self-expression of the hero.

Family, upbringing, life history. Occupation.

Character traits.

Actions and motives of behavior in which the hero manifests himself most clearly.

Comparison with other characters.

Definition of the typical and individual in a literary hero.

Your personal attitude towards the character and this type of people in life.

Group 3 – Answer the questions:

Why, in order to give a gift to a loved one, does each of the heroes have to make sacrifices? (They are poor).

Let’s work on the phrases “blatant poverty” and “eloquently screaming poverty.” Expand the meaning of phrases.

“Poverty” and “poverty” are synonymous. “Crying” - screaming, emitting a cry. “Eloquently” - expressive, meaningful.

Why, despite poverty, do they want to do such things to each other? expensive gifts?

Where do they find money?

Group 4 – Complete the tasks and answer the questions:

Find descriptions of the couple's treasure?

Is Dele sorry to part with his hair? Confirm.

How long does she hesitate?

What do they give each other with the money from the sold treasures?

Group 5 – Complete the tasks and answer the questions:

Did we see only love in the actions of the heroes or something else? (self-sacrifice).

Do you think there is true love without self-sacrifice?
- Let's go back to creative laboratory and add self-sacrifice.
- Let's look at the beginning of the story. It's in the money. On the next page - again about money. Is money something earthly, ordinary or sublime? Why does the author give such a sublime name and such an earthly beginning.
- Did the author have the right to draw a parallel between these ordinary people with their financial problems and the sublime gifting of God by the Magi to answer the problematic question. Why?

Group 6 – Complete the tasks and answer the questions:

What gift makes a person happy?

Reveal the meaning of V. Mayakovsky’s statement: “Love is the heart of everything...”. Draw a parallel with the text.

Reveal the meaning of words based on the text: love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, self-sacrifice, wisdom. Find synonyms for these words.

How do we know that the characters love each other? Confirm with text.

After 7 minutes of work, the groups present their answers.

Conclusions:

What was today's lesson about?

What feelings were we talking about?

We talked today about true love, about the gifts that make a person happy.
One of God's commandments is to love your neighbor. Let love walk next to each of you on your path. And may each of us have enough wisdom to preserve this love.

I want to end the lesson with a poem about love by R. Rozhdestvensky:

It all starts with love:

Both insight and work.

The eyes of flowers, the eyes of a child -

It all starts with love.

Marks (with justification).

Homework:

Read the story again. Prepare a retelling of the story. Using the method of oral word drawing, describe the characters, illustrate if desired. What color scheme predominates when describing the characters and their lives? (1, 2 groups).

Re-read the story again and answer the problematic question: Who are the true givers, what is their happiness and the meaning of life? Prepare a description historical era, the country where the events described in the story take place. (3-6 groups).

If you wish, write an essay on the topic (to choose from): “What can a person do in the name of love?”, “True givers”, “Gratitude”, “What is the meaning of the biblical commandment “love your neighbor”?”

REFLECTIONS ABOUT TRUE VALUES IN O’HENRY’S STORY “THE GIFT OF THE MAGI”

It was one of those cozy winter evenings when the perfect weather outside inspired you to read a book, but not a long one, I really wanted something special on this day. winter evening. I looked at my mini-library, where foreground collections of poems by Yesenin and Brodsky were displayed, not allowing the gaze of the inquisitive reader to find out what was hiding behind them. The choice was not an easy one. O. Henry or E. Hemingway?! Well, it was Christmas Eve, and I remembered that O. Henry has a very Touching story about true love, which I decided to plunge into reading.

Life of O. Henry

O. Henry (William Sidney Porter)

The author was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, September 11, 1862. After leaving school, O. Henry (William Sidney Porter) studied pharmacy and worked in his specialty. After working in medicine, William began to build a career in a bank as a cashier and accountant. Future writer worked there for some time, after which he was accused of embezzling funds and put behind bars.

While imprisoned from 1898 to 1901, Porter wrote several literary works. Then he took a pseudonym - O. Henry (sometimes signed as Olivier Henry).

The first story in the biography of the writer O. Henry was published in 1899 (“Dick the Whistler’s Christmas Gift”). The first book, “Kings and Cabbage,” was published in 1904. Among others famous works writer: “Four Million” (1906), “The Heart of the West” (1907), “The Noble Rogue” (1908), “The Paths of Fate” (1909), “Exact Deeds” (1910) and others. O. Henry devoted almost his entire life to writing short stories With unexpected turns plot. Only at the end of his life did O. Henry take up novels.

Died on June 5, 1910. A few years after the writer's death, the O. Henry Prize was founded.

6 interesting facts about O. Henry

Last family photo O. Henry (1898) with his wife, who soon died, and daughter.

1. Did you know that O. Henry began his career as a writer under very piquant circumstances - in prison.
2. O. Henry is the writer's pseudonym. His real name was William Sidney Porter.
3. The story “The Gifts of the Magi” is autobiographical. In Mexico, while on the run, Porter received a telegram about the hopeless condition of his beloved wife, Estes Atoll. In the absence of her husband, starving and not receiving any treatment, on Christmas Eve she managed to sell a lace cape for $25 and send Bill a gift in Mexico City - a gold watch chain. Alas, just at that moment Porter sold his watch to buy a train ticket to the border. He managed to see and say goodbye to his wife. A few days later she died.
4. O. Henry earned his fame as a master short story, especially popular in American literature called "short story".
5. There are still disagreements about O. Henry's guilt in embezzlement, for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. Most researchers are still inclined to believe that the writer was innocent and was simply made a “scapegoat.”
6. The writer’s funeral resulted in a real “Henry” plot. During the funeral service, a cheerful wedding party burst into the church and did not immediately realize that they would have to wait on the porch.

The main characters of the story “The Gifts of the Magi”

The main characters of the story are Della and Jim

The life of the heroes was not sweet, judging by the description of their apartment “The situation is not exactly blatant poverty, but rather eloquently silent poverty.”

The heroes lived poorly, from hand to mouth. In the story, the material is contrasted with the spiritual on the basis of such artistic technique, as an antithesis. Della and Jim had treasures that many of us can only dream of. Despite poverty, they were able to maintain and increase their love for each other.

Just look at Della’s description, which will not leave any man indifferent.

Beauty Della

“Delle, who was of slight build...”

“She suddenly jumped away from the window and rushed to the mirror. Her eyes sparkled, but the color drained from her face in twenty seconds. With a quick movement, she pulled out the pins and let her hair down. I must tell you that the James Dillingham Young couple had two treasures that were the source of their pride. One is Jim's gold watch that belonged to his father and grandfather, the other is Della's hair."

"And so beautiful hair The dells scattered, shining and shimmering, like the jets of a chestnut waterfall. They went down below her knees and covered almost her entire figure with a cloak.”

“The chestnut waterfall is flowing again.”

Features of the story “The Gifts of the Magi”

Illustration for the story “The Gifts of the Magi”

The work is not long, it can be read in 10 minutes without stopping. It will appeal to all readers, both lovers of long novels and people who do not bother reading. O. Henry knew a lot about stories and counted on a wide audience, especially thanks to the unusual ending, his works are remembered for a lifetime and you want to reread them again and again, despite the fact that you may already know them almost by heart. The most charming work, associated with Christmas and New Year from a very young age. I recommend it as a must-read, especially during the Christmas weekend. You will be able to appreciate the merits of the work differently by reading it in a cozy home atmosphere, taking your time and reading every sentence.

The story is also interesting because it is autobiographical. William Porter wrote most of his stories based on events that happened in his life.

Quotes by O. Henry

O. Henry walking with a child

I have selected the 10 most, in my opinion, most juicy quotes from O. Henry

• Money is just trash compared to true love.
• It's not about the road we choose; it is what is within us that makes us choose the path.
• For a person to complete his life, he must experience poverty, love and war. But not at once.
• This is the nature of the female sex - to cry from grief, cry from joy and shed tears in the absence of both.
• A person can fall into bad company in two situations in life - when he is penniless and when he is rich.
• Of all those who offer and receive gifts, only those like them are truly wise. Everywhere and everywhere. They are the Magi.
• Everyone has their own idea of ​​happiness - just like you or me. In your opinion, there is nothing better than rushing around the world on a yacht or car and throwing ducats at various overseas curiosities. And I love to sit in the twilight with a pipe and watch how the prairies fall asleep and all the evil spirits go little by little to rest.
• No language is difficult for a person if he needs it.
• A hungry heart should have a grain of happiness at least once a year.
• There are only two topics that you can talk about, giving free rein to your imagination and without fear of refutation. You can talk about what you saw in your dream and convey what you heard from the parrot.

The deep meaning of the story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

Christmas Eve)

This story is about what really matters. What every man and every woman dreams of in the depths of their hearts. Even cynics who preach “open” relationships dream about this. Reading the novella, you forget about loneliness, sadness, melancholy and despondency. These feelings are lost and fade into the background, because O. Henry showed life full of simple miracles, true friendship and sincere love.

The world of two people who have love with each other is as filled with happiness and harmony as possible. Seeing the feelings of these lovers, their sacrifice and dedication, you inevitably think about eternal values which should reign in every family.

The author borrowed the title of the story from biblical story, which is based on a story about wise men from the East who followed Star of Bethlehem to worship the baby born to become the Savior! A wonderful star visible from all over globe, shone that night, symbolizing Hope, Faith and Love. She led them on their journey and was an indicator of the birthplace of the Messiah. We become like these sages by reading this touching short story, written for this purpose, so that faith in the most extraordinary gift in the world - Love - will arise in our hearts.

May you be inspired to read the story. You can read it by following this link

The text was prepared by Maria Lukashevich

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O'Henry's creativity is a powerful source of goodness and humanity. His short stories captivate, delight, delight, amuse and captivate the reader, awakening in his soul the whole world good feelings, inspire optimism and hope.

One of O’Henry’s best New York short stories is “The Gift of the Magi.” A young family lives in a large New York house - Jim and Della. They are very poor, but they love each other passionately. Before Christmas, they decide to sacrifice the most precious things they have to give each other gifts.

Jim and Della know how to be happy, living in a poor apartment on twenty dollars a week. The heroes love each other so much that they are able to sacrifice without hesitation the most precious thing they had: Della - her luxurious hair, which could “make all the jewelry and outfits of her Majesty” (the Queen of Sheba) fade, and Jim - his family gold watch, Having seen which, King Solomon would have “torn his beard out of envy.” Love for another overpowered love for some material assets. Although it seems to me that the love of Jim and Della is so strong and real that it is also tangible - this love shines through all the lines of the story.

This story did not spoil the lovers' Christmas holiday at all, because they received another proof of each other's love as a gift and were very happy.

At first glance, it seems that the short story is almost anecdotal, but it can hardly be called funny or cheerful; there is a bitter taste in it. But, on the other hand, this funny failure with gifts is a real fairy tale Christmas story that shows best qualities ordinary people: selflessness of their love, sacrifice, spiritual generosity. The novella, like the Christmas star followed by the wise men two millennia ago, radiates the light of hope.

“Of all those who give and receive gifts, only those like them are truly wise,” writes O’Henry. - Everywhere and everywhere. They are the Magi." Jim and Della have genuine spiritual generosity, they know how to love and sacrifice for the sake of this love what is dear to them.

Option 2

A distinctive feature of the famous American writer O'Henry is a talented comedian. His works always contain jokes and irony. He also always has a surprise in stock for the reader, an unexpected ending. His short stories are a powerful source of goodness and humanity. They captivate and delight us, awakening in our souls a whole world of good and bright feelings.

One of O’Henry’s most famous short stories is “The Gift of the Magi.” Why does it attract readers so much? This is a good Christmas story about the power of true love, the ability to sacrifice for loved one when, compared to the happiness that can be delivered to your loved one, everything else no longer seems so important and valuable.

The main characters of the novel are young spouses Della and Jim, who live very modestly, they are forced to count every cent. Jim wore an old coat, and his “hands were freezing without gloves.” They lived in a furnished apartment with very poor furnishings. But their life was brightened by love. And each of them also had a small treasure that they were very proud of. Della had luxurious long hair, and

Jim has a gold watch that he inherited from his father and grandfather.

The author describes to us Della's mental anguish on Christmas Eve. After all, she loves Jim and cannot leave him without a gift on such a holiday, but she has no money. It is worth noting that Christmas is one of the most favorite holidays among Christians. It is customary to celebrate it with loved ones and give gifts to each other, since Christ, born on this night, symbolizes Love for believers. And to bring joy to her beloved, Della makes a sacrifice: she sells her hair, her only treasure. She chooses a gift for her husband for a long time and carefully, looking for exactly what he might like. Jim comes home in the evening. The spouses exchange gifts, and then it turns out that each of the heroes, sacrificing his treasure, gives the other an addition to his treasure: combs for his hair and a chain for his watch. The situation in which Jim and Della find themselves makes you smile and also makes you think about the wisdom of the story. After all, we become truly happy by giving - sacrificing something. And the greater the sacrifice, the stronger the love.

The heroes of the story are selfless and pure in their love. And the author says that although they “sacrificed their greatest treasures for each other in the most unwise way,” but “of all the donors, these two were the wisest.”