Speedwagon

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Reviving a
Christmas Classic!
DIRECTOR HUYNH SY LUAN BRINGS BACK TO LIFE THE CLASSICAL
TALE BY O.HENRY - “THE GIFT OF THE MAGI” ON THE TV SCREEN!
SEE IT LIVE THIS MORNING, AND ALSO EXPERIENCE AN EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW WITH THE CREW INVOLVED.

TO BE PREMIERED AT

9:10 A.M -
A BREATHTAKING
TWIST IN A
DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE
LOVE STORY! Nov 12
ONLY ON
THE LATE NIGHT SHOW!

A GREAT STORY, STRIKES AGAIN!!!

1
 Introduction
Author
……………………….. (September 11, 1862 – June 5,
1910), is better known by his pen
name…………….
Born into a broken family, with an ironically
uncaring doctor of a father and a mother
who left the world when he was only 3,
Henry braved the world yet lived a
………………………..until his final days, suffering
from unhappy marriages, a broken body,
and a broken, drunken mind, inspired by the
man who took no interest in raising him.
His pen name, O. Henry - a product of his
days…………………. - further pushes his
depressing narrative of a man weighed William Sidney (O.Henry) Porter
down and oppressed by the world around (1862 – 1910)
him. Work
O.Henry writes with realistic detail based on
his first-hand experiences in Texas and New
York City, where he spent his childhood and his
adult life.
He is known as the …………………………………….., as
many of his stories contain a…………………………………..
based on irony or coincidence, which also
becomes staples of his stories.
From 1904 - 1910, O.Henry cultivated 10
breathtaking stories, including some iconic
THE GIFT OF THE MAGI ones like: "...................................................,"
".......................................................," and
The story was initially published in The New York
Sunday World under the title "Gifts of the Magi"
".......................................................," as well as the novel
on December 10, 1905, just one year after he began "........................................................"
writing his iconic short stories. Slowly, the work The Gift of the Magi is what we will be hearing
would be renowned as.......................................................... today, a story to brighten your Christmas.

Activity:
Use these
keywords
to fill in
the blanks
above!
2
 Title
The Magi
Who are the Magi?
The Magi refers to the three ________
men from the Bible who followed a
star to visit the ________ Jesus
Christ.
Known as ________ or astrologers,
they brought valuable gifts to honor
the significance of Christ’s birth.
Gifts presented by the Magi:
________: valuable and expensive,
suitable for the King of Kings.
________: symbolizes divinity and
holiness, acknowledging Jesus'
divine nature.
________: symbol of death, or mortal
hood, foreshadowing Jesus’ earthly Illustration of the 3 Magi, giving
life and eventual sacrifice. gifts to the new born Jesus Christ

It’s these three gifts that have demonstrated the respect,

worship, and religious faith in Jesus.

So, why did the author name his

work “The Gift of the Magi”?

3
 Setting
When and Where? Environments
WHEN PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Time Period Their apartment

Christmas during the Gilded Age (late Costs $8 per week—a lot on their small
1800s - early 1900s) - This was a time of income.
economic growth but also of poverty for Hair shop
many.
This is where Della makes her big
Why is Christmas Eve such an sacrifice by selling her hair.
important setting in the story?
A) It shows the financial struggles of SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
the time. Jim now earns only $20 a week, which
B) It highlights the season of giving covers just the essentials.
and love.
C) It contrasts with the poverty of Jim Which of the following would likely
and Della. be most challenging for Jim and
D) Both B and C. Della to afford?
A) Entertainment like movies or
dining out
WHERE
B) Rent for their apartment
Location C) Basic food and clothing
D) All of the above
A modest apartment in New York City
Activity: Draw It! Imagine what Jim and
Della’s small apartment looks like based Activity: Calculate what’s left after Jim
on the story. Draw a quick sketch below and Della pay their weekly expenses
with simple labels (like “table,” “small based on their income.
window,” or “simple chairs”). Total Weekly Expenses: $____
Weekly Leftover: $____

Sketch here!

4
 Plot
Story
PLOT DIAGRAM
Activity 4: Match and rearrange the plot points to create the correct Plot diagram for the
story of “The gift of the Magi”

(A) Della sells her long, beautiful hair to buy a gold chain for Jim's
(1) Exposition prized pocket watch.

(B) They realize their sacrifices have rendered the gifts practically
(2) Rising action useless, but they appreciate the depth of each other’s love.

(C) Della and Jim, a poor couple deeply in love, live modestly but
(3) Climax want to give each other meaningful Christmas gifts, despite their
financial difficulties.

(D) Della and Jim put away the gifts until they can both use
(4) Falling action
them, realizing a valuable lesson about sacrifice and love.

(E) On Christmas Eve, the couple exchanges gifts, only to discover

(5) Resolution that Jim sold his watch to buy Della a set of combs for her hair.

Conflicts
EXTERNAL INTERNAL
Man vs Poverty (society) Della vs herself

Christmas is the time for people to show Before haircut

their affection, care by giving and In attempting to solve financial
receiving presents. However, both Jim and problems, Della hits on the idea of selling
Della are under pressure due to financial her beautiful hair. She wallows deeply in
problems and they didn’t have enough her struggle to sell her hair and her love
money to buy each other gifts - for Jim. In the end, love prevails, as
measurements of their love. always.

After haircut
Della sold her hair, this act triggers a
profound self-doubt, raising questions
about her value in Jim’s eyes and,
ultimately, her value to herself - defined
by her beauty.

5
 Character analysis
Protagonists

Shared characteristics Della Jim

- Hard working
Typical, representative - Feeds his family
of their genders at the ________ - Reliable
time Defined by work
ethics and heritage

________
character

Radical, breaking free

from gender ________ ________
stereotypes

Changed over time and both learned to

________ ignore the corporeal gifts and look at the
character love and selflessness each has given the
other.

(1) (3) (4)

(2)
- Emotional Round Dynamic
- Affectionate, caring and
- Well mannered

Protagonists
sacrificial for his love, instead of
- Meek
oppressive and controlling
- Affectionate (5)
- Allows for flexible finance (not
- Sensitive, insecure - Determined
in charge of all)
- Capable as a homemaker - Strong woman able to
- Understanding
Defined by beauty sacrifice her values

6
 Character analysis

Antagonist
Antagonist

Characteristics Mrs. Sofronie

- Large and intimidating

- Cold from the inside to the outside
Ironic, not typical of age and
gender
vs
- Lean and crooked
- Warm and welcoming

________ character

Appeared only in a fleeting moment, to act

as a foil to Della’s sacrifice and love
________ character

Antagonist
7
 Characterization
Della
LOOK

Before the Haircut Della’s best features seem erased.

Her transformation leaves her
Beautiful but thin.
“Della, being slender, had mastered the
exposed and fragile. Antonyms
art.” emphasize the depth of her
Beautiful, wondrous hair that flows change. Reflects the emotional
endlessly, even to her waist, into a impact of sacrificing her identity.
dress.
“Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat
across the airshaft, Della would have let
her hair hang out the window some day to
dry just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels
and gifts.” After the Haircut
“So now Della’s beautiful hair fell about
Tomboy-ish and Less feminine.
her rippling and shining like a cascade of
“Within forty minutes her head was
brown waters. It reached below her knee
covered with tiny, close-lying curls that
and made itself almost a garment for her.”
made her look wonderfully like a truant
Eyes shining brilliantly.
schoolboy.”
“With a whirl of skirts and with the
She quickly had her hair fixed upon
brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she
to hide the ravages.
fluttered out the door and down the stairs
“She got out her curling irons and lighted
to the street.”
the gas and went to work repairing the
ravages made by generosity added to love”
Dim eyes.
“...She hugged them to her bosom, and at
Image of a girl shaped by poverty length she was able to look up with dim
yet radiating unique beauty. eyes”
Reflects the struggles of the typical
woman of her time. Adjectives
transform an ordinary character
an into extraordinary beauty.
Focuses on highlighting inner
beauty through outer sacrifice. 8
 Characterization
Della
SPEECH

Before the Haircut “Jim, darling, don’t look at me that way. I

had my hair cut off and sold it because I
“Will you buy my hair?”
couldn’t have lived through Christmas
“Give it to me quick,”
without giving you a present. It’ll grow
Direct, hurried out again—you won’t mind, will you?
Della’s decisive nature, determination and
My hair grows so fast, Jim. It’s
willingness courage and the strength of
Chirstmas. Let’s be happy.
her love for Jim
Shall we eat dinner, Jim? ”

After the Haircut

A mix of anxiousness and pleading.
“If Jim doesn’t kill me,” She is trying to reassure Jim. Reveals her
“Before he takes a second look at me, insecurity and hope for Jim’s
he’ll say I look like a Coney Island understanding
chorus girl. But what could I do—oh!
what could I do with a dollar and eighty-
seven cents?”

Longer, softer, emotional, desperate,

“Will you buy my hair?”
self-conscious. “Give it to me quick,”
Della’s tone reveals anxiety and
Della’s excitement to share the gift
nervousness. She fears she has lost what
with Jim
made her beautiful in Jim’s eyes
Her affection is apparent, seeking Jim’s
approval. Della’s deep love and desire to
make Jim happy
“Please god, make him think I’m
still pretty”

Della is a loving, selfless, and determined young woman, marked by her deep
affection for Jim and her willingness to sacrifice. Despite her poverty, she saves
up and sacrifice her valuable possessions for his happiness. Her gentle
vulnerability and quiet love define her as a devoted and endearing character.
9
 Characterization
Della
THOUGHTS & ACTIONS

Before the Haircut

“Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her
Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent
planning for something nice for him.” After the Haircut
“She had been saving every penny she could
for months.” “With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant
sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out the
The depth of Della’s commitment,
door and down the stairs to the street.”
her patience, willingness to bring
Jim’s happiness Showcases her excitement and
anticipation.
For Della, love is active and
“There was clearly nothing to do but flop
sacrificial rather than passive.
down on the shabby little couch and howl.
So Della did it. Which instigates the moral
reflection that life is made up of sobs, “When Della reached home her intoxication
sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles gave way a little to prudence and reason.
predominating.” She got out her curling irons and lighted the
gas and went to work repairing the ravages
She has experienced enough made by generosity added to love.”
difficulties to know that life is not “She looked at her reflection in the mirror
easy, a touch of realism. long, carefully, and critically.”
Her desire to still look appealing to
“Suddenly she whirled from the window
Jim. Underscores her insecurity
and stood before the glass. Her eyes were
and love.
shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its
color within twenty seconds.”
Her awareness of the significance
of her decision , her determination

Della is a loving, selfless, and determined young woman, marked by her deep
affection for Jim and her willingness to sacrifice. Despite her poverty, she saves
patiently and gives up her valuable possessions for his happiness. Her gentle
vulnerability and quiet love's strength define her as a devoted and endearing
character.
10
 Characterization
Jim
LOOK

“He looked thin and very serious.”

...
“He needed a new overcoat and he was
“A young man, “only twenty-two years without gloves.”
old”, and to be burdened with a family.” ...
...

A sentimental and frugal man,

having no care for his ego

Poor,
hard -
working,
and self-
effacing

“Now, there were two possessions of the

James Dillingham Youngs in which they
both took a mighty pride. One was Jim’s
gold watch that had been his father’s and
his grandfather’s.”

The inherited gold watch is a

symbol of his family legacy and
personal identity.
Jim sees the gold watch as his one
and only treasure.

11
 Characterization
Jim
SPEECH
"You’ve cut off your hair?"
Initial Shock and Underlying Love

"Don’t make any mistake, Dell. I don’t

think there’s anything in the way of a
haircut or a shave or a shampoo that
could make me love my girl any less."
Reassurance, greatly showing Jim’s
Unconditional Love, and Emotional
Maturity.
“Let’s put our Christmas presents away
and keep ’em a while. They’re too nice to
use just at present. I sold the watch to get
the money to buy your combs.”
Sympathy and Understanding.

All in all, Jim’s speeches are laden with themes of love, sacrifice, and irony. Each
line underscores the depth of his character and his profound, selfless love for Della.

“Jim was never late.”

Jim
Dedication for his THOUGHTS & ACTIONS
wife
“... Jim tumbled down on
the couch and put his
hands under the back of
his head and smiled.”
“He enfolded his Della.”
Affectionate Flexible and
Nature and lighthearted
Sensitivity

He is generous and fully committed to their marriage. He is self-aware of his role in

their nuclear family as a breadwinner, and he appreciates Della’s dedication and
contribution to their household. Therefore, we can see how he values their bonds
and their affectionate acts more than the Christmas gifting tradition.
12
 Characterization
Ms. Sofronie

Evidence Analysis

LOOK

“Madame, large, too white,

Intimidating, nearly inhuman, cold, going against
chilly, hardly looked the
the concept of her name.
“Sofronie.”

SPEECH, THOUGHTS & ACTIONS

“I buy hair,” “Take yer hat off, Serving as a foil to Della, Ms.Sofronie replies to
and let’s have a sight at the Della’s emotional sacrificial request with
looks of it.”“Twenty dollars,” unmatched bluntness and dismissiveness.

Mirroring her speech, the hairdresser’s actions are

“lifting the mass with a described without much depth, not even enough
practised hand.” to glimpse into a fragment of her thoughts and
soul.

Della’s unrestrained and direct tone of voice and the hairdresser’s

crudeness directly correlate to the theme of Della’s sacrifice: uncertainty.

Ironically, Ms.Sofronie makes Della’s sacrifice seem unimportant and

transactional, not emotional and gracious. The hairdresser represents the
harsh world that constantly thrashes against Della and Jim’s precious
love.

The author portrays the living irony of Sofronie, again displaying the
forever immense contrast between practicality and love, further adding on
to how these elements interact in “The Gift of the Magi”.
13
 Characterization
Relationship
DILLINGHAMS & OTHERS JIM & DELLA
“A letter–box into which no letter would Jim Della
Breadwinner, makes Homemaker, typical
go, and an electric button from which no
ends meet and early 20th century’s
mortal finger could coax a ring.” shoulders the housewife, shoulders
financial burden of the household. Yet
The couple not bothering to fix the doorbell the family. However, can still handle very
and the letter box with no letters going in can still balance his well, can plan their
resemble their lack of other people in their work and marriage spending and even
lives and the fact that all they have is each lives save up (1.87) as well
other. as stay affectionate

Brings irony and contrast, reflecting a

laughable yet thought-provoking scenario

Point of View
A THIRD-PERSON LIMITED
POINT OF VIEW
Focus on Della’s perspective while The narrator is not a character
Jim's perspective remains hidden in the story and tells the events
from an outside perspective, but
he can access the characters’
thoughts, feelings, emotions,
and motivations - Della and Jim
in this case

This helps the story develop irony and suspense, slowly building up to
a surprising ending - a signature of O.Henry’s penmanship.

14
 Theme

The most priceless gifts are woven from sincerity

and sacrifice, surpassing any materialism.

Haiku
“Love’s quiet exchange, “Gifts of love, they give,
Priceless gifts from empty hands, Treasures lost for joy to show
Hearts rich, wisdom’s gain.” Magi wise in heart.”,

“Two hearts intertwined, “Poverty surrounds,

Gifts exchanged with purest love, Yet warmth blooms in their embrace,
Riches found in loss.” Love's light in the dark.”

“Watch and hair exchanged, “Combs for golden hair,

Treasures lost, but love remains, Yet love is the truest gift,
Gold is in their hearts.” Inner beauty shines.”

15
 Symbolism
Della’s Hair Jim’s Watch
Della’s hair symbolizes her Jim’s golden watch
beauty, pride, and femininity.
symbolizes both time
By cutting it, she sacrifices
not only her most cherished and wealth. By
feature but also a part of her sacrificing it, he shows
identity, reflecting the his commitment to
biblical Eve—a symbol of
Della “Jim was never
maternity and fertility.
This act also shows her deep
late”, offering her his
love and selflessness toward most valuable asset,
Jim, as she gives up her symbolically giving
youthful beauty for his her his “time” and any
happiness. The author’s
description of her as a "truant
sense of financial
schoolboy" , thus even further security he has.
emphasizes her break from
traditional femininity in a
profound act of devotion.
The gift of the Magi
The Chain
The chain symbolizes Della’s appreciation for Jim’s inner qualities and her desire to honor
his character. By choosing a simple, elegant chain, she shows that she values substance over
show, just as she sees Jim’s quiet strength and worth beyond appearances. The chain thus
becomes a symbol of respect and validation, reflecting her deep admiration and love for his
true self.

The combs symbolize Della’s admiration for beauty and her yearning for self-expression.
She "craved and yearned over them," seeing them as a way to celebrate her cherished hair.
Jim’s sacrifice to buy the combs shows his deep, selfless love and commitment to her
happiness. Thus, the combs represent both personal desire and the profound, mutual
sacrifices that define their love.
The Combs
16
 Figurative Language

Write the names of the Figurative languages here!

“...and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings.”

⇒ The phrase “tripped on by rosy wings” describes how quickly time passed and
how thrilled Della was to have enough money to buy a gift for Jim.

“...before he takes a second look at me, he’ll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl.
But what could I do—oh! ”
⇒ By comparing herself to a "Coney Island chorus girl," Della implies she looks
like a low-class dancer rather than a respectable woman.
_____________
“Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at
the scent of quail.”
⇒ Jim’s reaction to Della’s transformation is captured through hunting imagery,
showing him frozen in shock like a setter spotting prey.

“Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her
hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels and
gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the
basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him
pluck at his beard from envy”
⇒ The mention of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon emphasizes Jim and
Della’s pride and admiration for each other's most treasured possessions.

“A gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard”

⇒ The repeated "gray" imagery sets a scene of stillness and isolation, reflecting
Della’s sadness or hopelessness.

17
 Irony

Label the ironies!

_________________________ _________________________

Expectation of Joy when exchanging The Final Reveal

gifts: When Della and Jim reveal their gifts to
At Christmas, both Jim and Della go to one another, the audience already
extreme lengths to surprise each other knows the irony of their situations. This
with thoughtful gifts. Both expect these moment heightens the emotional
sacrifices will bring joy to the other. But impact, as readers can appreciate the
instead, they end up in a bittersweet depth of their love and the bittersweet
situation. nature of their gifts, contrasting with
the characters’ lack of awareness at that
The irony lies in the fact that both gifts moment.
are rendered useless by the sacrifices they
made. Their efforts to express love through
material gifts backfire.

Madame Sofronie
Madame Sofronie’s character in The Gift of the Magi serves as an ironic contrast to
the story’s theme of love and sacrifice. Her indifferent attitude toward Della’s hair,
treating it as mere merchandise, contrasts with the deep sentimental value it holds
for Della, who sacrifices it out of love for Jim. This difference emphasizes the irony of
Della’s selfless act, as Sofronie’s practicality underscores a world that undervalues
love and sentiment. Through Sofronie, O. Henry highlights the depth of Della and
Jim’s sacrifices against a backdrop of cold, transactional attitudes, enhancing the
story’s message about true love.

_________________________

18
 REFLECTION
Fill in the blanks with the correct item, to revise the core story of
1.
“The gift of the Magi”

Character Sacrifice Gift

Della

Jim

Imagine that Jim and Della wrote a short thank-you note to each
2. other after discovering their gifts. Write a quick 2–3 sentence
note from either Jim or Della’s perspective.

Write here!

True or False: Circle the correct answer

3.
a. Jim and Della regret the sacrifices they made for each other.
True / False
b. The story suggests that love can be shown through personal sacrifice.
True / False.
Quick Poll: On a scale of 1 to 5, how much would you be willing to sacrifice for
someone you love? (Circle one)
1 2 3 4 5 19
 Speedwagon
Reads

Thank you for

reading!
"The Gift of the Magi captures the beauty of selfless love, where
true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in the generosity
of spirit. Through Della and Jim's heartfelt sacrifices, O. Henry
reminds us that the most profound gifts are those given with love
and thoughtfulness, even if they appear modest. This timeless
story speaks to the heart, showing that acts of love often hold
deeper value than the grandest of treasures."

The film did a splendid job in portraying the full emotions of the
story, don’t you think? Let us know more by sending us a fan mail!

Until next time, on Speedwagon Reads!

FAN INTERVIEW CORNER

- What do you think about

Jim and Della?
NEXT ISSUE IS ON:

To be
TO VIEW THE EXHIBIT ONLINE, VISIT WWW.REALLYGREATSITE.COM

continued...
“Fate, huh...? Some people
are, just fated to meet each
other...”
20
 GUIDING
QUESTIONS
To grasp the core of the talk, and the story of The Gift of the Magi, make sure to tune
into these Guiding Questions below, with their location in the Talk pinpointed!
- A Christmas Special -
Questions Location
GQ1. The opening line, "One dollar and eight-seven cents"
(in 1905) is equivalent to how much in today's dollars? Why
is this amount both important and unimportant in the
Setting
story?

GQ2a. Do Della's and Jim's reactions to their predicament

giving up their most valued possessions for gifts that are QnA session
now useless surprise you?

GQ2b. Rather than be angry at each other or sad, Jim said

"let's put the Christmas presents away and keep them a
Jim - Speech
while. They're too nice to use just at present". What
message do you think Jim wanted to convey?

GQ2c. What are Della's and Jim's most prized possessions? Relationship

GQ3. Describe O. Henry's use of Biblical references (the

magi, King Solomon, Queen Sheba). Why does he compare Title
Della and Jim to the magi?

GQ4. Why is Christmas Eve such an important setting in

the story
Setting

THE GIFT OF
THE MAGI
 GUIDING
QUESTIONS
Questions Location

GQ5. Describe the meaning of "wise" in the story. What

does "word to the wise" mean? "And here I have lamely
related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish
children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each
Theme
other the greatest treasures of their house." Why were they
the wisest of all the people who give gifts?

GQ6. The narrator interrupts the story to comment on the

value of money. What is he saying, and why would he have
to turn our attention away from Della and Jim in order to
QnA session
say it?

GQ7a. What does the description of the apartment tell us

about the economic situation of the couple in the story"?
Setting

QG7b. What does the author mean by "...a letter-box into

which no letter would go and an electric button from which
no mortal finger could coax a ring"? What dilemma do the
Relationship
central characters face?

GQ8. What does the phrase "tripped by on rosy wings" Figurative

mean? Language

GQ9. What does the author mean by "one's cheeks burned

with silent imputation of parsimony”?
Della - Look

GQ10. Define irony and how O. Henry's employs it in the

story.
Irony

- A Christmas Special -