The gift of the magi
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O'Henry, born William Sydney Porter in 1862, worked various jobs before starting a weekly publication and later being convicted of embezzlement. While in prison, he began writing short stories under the pen name O. Henry and published hundreds of them after his release. His most famous works include "The Gift of the Magi" about a young couple who sell their most valuable possessions to buy Christmas gifts for each other, showing the meaning of love and sacrifice. O'Henry wrote over 600 short stories in his life before dying of cirrhosis in 1910.
The gift of the magi
- 1. OHENRY (WILLIAM SYDNEY PORTER) 1862 - 1910 BY: Vargas, Alcira
- 2. Born September 11, 1862 as William Sydney Porter in North Carolina, where he spent his childhood. Read avidly Dropped out of school at 15 Worked many jobs (on a Texas ranch, in a drug store, as a bank clerk) to make money
- 3. Started a humorous weekly called The Rolling Stonein 1894 Drank heavily when the weekly failed Worked as a bank teller and accused of embezzling money from the First National Bank of Austin Fled to Honduras to avoid trial Returned after hearing of wife dying
- 4. He was convicted of embezzling $4,000 in 1894. While in prison, he began writing short stories. After he spent three years in jail, he changed his name to O. Henry. He was released two years early for good behavior.
- 5. William Porter was married to Athol Estes in 1887. They had one daughter, Margaret Worth Porter. His wife died of tuberculosis in 1897. Porter Family in the 1890s.
- 6. Whistling Dicks Christmas was his first story, written in 1899. He wrote a story each week for about three years, that was published in the New York World magazine. His stories were also published in other magazines.
- 7. OHenry wrote over 600 short stories in his life. These inlcude:.
- 8. He also published ten collections, of his hundreds of short stories. These include: Cabbages and Kings The Four Million The Trimmed Lamp Whirligigs Sixes and Sevens Rolling Stones Waifs and Strays Heart of the West
- 9. O. Henry died on June 5th, 1910, of cirrhosis of the liver. In the last years of his life he had many problems, including an unhappy marriage, financial problems, poor health, and alcoholism. He had married Sarah Lindsay Coleman just three years earlier and they had separated after 1 year.
- 10. 油
- 11. It is a classic tale of sacrifice, irony, and wisdom gained. It is about a couple who long to buy the perfect holiday gifts for one another. They are very much in love with each other. Unfortunately, they have very little money, but they are determined.
- 12. New York City A cheap, small apartment Christmas Eve Early 1900s
- 13. Della Young: Pretty, slender young woman who cuts off her beautiful long hair and sells it to buy a Christmas gift for her husband. James Dillingham Young: Husband of Della. He is a thin, serious young man, twenty-two years old. He sells his gold watch to buy a gift for Della. Madame Sofronie: The only character in the story other than the Youngs. The local hair-goods shop owner who buys Della's hair.
- 14. Introduction: The background information about Jim and Della, description of setting, and circumstances Rising Action: Dellas difficult decision. Climax: Exchange of gifts Falling Action: The realization of generosity and that actions are more priceless than the possessions. Denouement: Jim and Della remain in love. They already possess the greatest gift of all, love for each other.
- 15. Poverty Internal Conflict (Man vs. Man/Man vs. Himself) External Conflict (Man vs. Society)
- 16. Personality and presence Dellas point of view Third party narrator Direct Discusses details Comments on his own words
- 17. Wealth and poverty Generosity Love
- 18. 油