In paragraphs 19-20 of "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry uses specific phrases that evoke the story's historical setting.
How to explain
Phrases like "eight dollars a week or a million a year—what is the difference?" hint at the economic conditions of the time, emphasizing financial struggles.
Additionally, the reference to "$1.87" for a gift reflects the low cost of items during that era. The mention of "James Dillingham Young" portrays the characters' names in a more formal style typical of that period.
These phrases collectively create a sense of the story's setting, reflecting the late 19th-century context characterized by financial challenges and a different naming convention