Question

Describe the protagonist of your novel or short story, The Gift of Magi by O. Henry.

Identify the point of view in your novel or short story.
a) First-person
b) Second-person
c) Third-person limited
d) Third-person omniscient

Discuss two examples of suspense or humor created by point of view in your novel or short story.
a) But in a last word to the wise of these days, let it be said that of all who give gifts, these two were the wisest.
b) Jim looked about the room curiously. 'You needn't look for it,' said Della. 'It's sold, I tell you—sold and gone too.'

Identify an example of dramatic irony in your novel or short story. If your story has not presented any examples of dramatic irony, describe your own suggestion for adding dramatic irony to a scene from your novel or short story.
a) So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her, rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters.
b) The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men—who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger.

Answer 1

The story 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is written in third-person limited point of view. Two examples of suspense created by the point of view are when Della tells Jim that the item is sold, and when the narrator mentions that Della and Jim were the wisest gift-givers. An example of dramatic irony is the mention of the wise magi in the story.

Step-by-step explanation:

The story 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is written in third-person limited point of view. This means that the narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character, in this case, Della. Two examples of suspense created by the point of view are:

1. 'Jim looked about the room curiously. 'You needn't look for it,' said Della. 'It's sold, I tell you—sold and gone too.'
2. 'But in a last word to the wise of these days, let it be said that of all who give gifts, these two were the wisest.'

These examples create suspense because the reader is left wondering about the sold item and what makes these characters the wisest gift-givers. Additionally, an example of dramatic irony in the story is the sentence - 'The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men—who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger.'