KSEEB Solutions for Class 10 Lesson: The Gift of the Magi 24-25

I. glossary

Magi (plural) /ˈmædʒaɪ/ : The Magi were the wise men who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus. According to the Bible, the Magi were three kings (Caspar, Melchoior, and Balthazar) who traveled to Bethlehem from somewhere in the East (probably Persia).
bulldozing: arguing forcefully.
imputation: suggestion.
parsimony: meanness in spending.
close dealing: stingy bargaining.
flop down: fall down.
sniffles: sniffing repeatedly while crying.
beggar description: impossible to describe in words.
mendicancy squad: beggars.
vestibule: entrance.
coax a ring: succeed in making it ring.
appertaining thereunto: connected or fixed to it.
Christmas Eve: 24 December, the day before Christmas.
agile: active.
sterling: excellent, very good.
pier glass: a tall narrow mirror, designed to hang on the wall.
whirl: turn.
queen of Sheba: the queen who visited Solomon and gave him many rich gifts.
airshaft: a space for ventilating a room.
depreciate: reduce the value of; devalue.
King Solomon: King of Israel in the Old Testament. He was regarded as the wisest of men. His court was known for its pomp and splendor.
janitor: caretaker, doorkeeper.
cascade: waterfall.
fluttered: moved.
yer: your.
hashed (adj): mixed.
ransack: search.
fob: a chain by which a pocket watch is attached to a waistcoat.
chaste: plain and without much decoration.
meretricious: superficially attractive but of no real value.
on the sly: secretly.
prudence: having good judgment.
curling iron: an instrument used to curl hair.
ravage: ruin, wreck.
mammoth: huge, extremely large.
truant: someone who shirks his duty or work.
Coney Island: a famous entertainment place on Long Island in New York.
chorus-girl: a girl who dances or sings in a musical comedy.
setter: a dog trained to remain motionless at the scent of a bird to be hunted.
quail: a small bird.
laboriously: taking a lot of time.
patent: evident; apparent.
trance: a mental state in which a person is unaware of the environment.
enfold: embrace.
discreet: tactful or careful.
inconsequential: trivial or insignificant.
wit: an intelligent person.
nimble: agile.
ecstatic: very excited and enthusiastic.
dark assertion: mysterious statement.
hysterical: uncontrollable.
tress: hair.
coveted: craved for.
adornment: something decorative.
singed: burnt slightly.
ardent: zealous, keen.
dandy: too splendid.
manger: an open box from which cattle and horses feed.
Babe in the manger: Infant Jesus.
lamely: unsatisfactorily.
chronicle: story.

II. Comprehension Questions:

How did Della save her one dollar and eighty-seven cents?
Della saved her money by counting pennies that she had saved one and two at a time through careful dealings with the grocer, vegetable man, and butcher, even though it sometimes embarrassed her.
The writer gives details of Jim’s flat. Pick out the details.
Jim and Della lived in a furnished flat that cost $8 per week. It had a shabby appearance, a letterbox that received no letters, and an electric button that didn’t work.
The card bearing the full name of Jim now had only one letter ‘D’ on it. State whether the statement is true or false.
True. The name “Dillingham” was shortened to “D” on the card, reflecting their financial difficulties.
What were the most precious possessions of Jim and Della?
Jim’s most precious possession was his gold watch, inherited from his father and grandfather. Della’s most precious possession was her beautiful long hair.
How has the writer compared Della’s hair to Queen of Sheba’s jewels?
The writer compared Della’s hair to the Queen of Sheba’s jewels by implying it was so beautiful that even the Queen’s jewels would pale in comparison.
How has the writer compared Jim’s watch to King Solomon’s treasures?
The writer compared Jim’s watch to King Solomon’s treasures, suggesting it was so valuable that even the treasures of Solomon could not surpass it.
Why did Della decide to sell her hair?
Della decided to sell her hair because she wanted to buy a special Christmas gift for Jim to show her love.
How much money did she get for her hair?
Della received twenty dollars for selling her hair.
What did Della buy for Jim?
Della bought a platinum fob chain for Jim’s watch.
How was the gift worthy of the watch?
The platinum fob chain was simple and elegant, proclaiming its value through its substance alone, making it a worthy match for Jim’s watch.
The writer says that the platinum chain was like Jim. How?
The chain was like Jim because it had qualities of quietness and value, which reflected Jim’s personality.
What did Della try to fix before Jim got home?
Della tried to fix her short hair with curling irons to make herself look presentable before Jim arrived.
What was Jim’s reaction when he saw Della without her lovely hair?
Jim was shocked and stared at her with a peculiar expression, struggling to comprehend her new appearance.
What was Jim’s gift for Della? Give a brief description of the gift.
Jim’s gift for Della was a set of beautiful combs made of pure tortoise shell with jeweled rims, which Della had long admired but could not afford.
Were the gifts useful to each other?
No, the gifts were not useful to each other because Della sold her hair to buy the chain, and Jim sold his watch to buy the combs.
How did Della react when she saw Jim’s gift for her?
Della initially screamed with joy at the sight of the combs but soon cried because her hair was gone, making the combs useless.
Jim and Della both gave up something dear to them. What does it tell us about them?
It shows that Jim and Della deeply loved each other and were willing to sacrifice their most treasured possessions to make the other happy, demonstrating true selflessness.
O. Henry’s stories often blend humor and pathos. The description of the card bearing Jim’s name is an example of this. Can you identify one more example from the story?
Another example is the irony of their sacrifices—Della’s despair after selling her hair turns into joy when she buys the chain, only to realize their gifts are unusable.
Who were the Magi?
The Magi were wise men who brought valuable gifts to the newborn Jesus, symbolizing the art of giving.
What is the writer’s last word to the wise men of these days?
The writer concludes that Jim and Della were the wisest gift-givers because their sacrifices out of love embodied the true spirit of giving.

Vocabulary Exercises:

Find out the words from the text which mean the following:
- Having little or no money: Penniless
- Strong desire to do something: Yearning
- To hold something in your hand: Grasp
- Unable to think clearly: Stupefied
- Showing or expressing sorrow: Mournful
Complete the following sentences with words/phrases from the text:
- Della had been saving her pennies carefully.
- Della let down her hair, and it fell about her rippling and shining.
- Della wished to buy something fine and rare.
- Jim wanted to present Della with the set of combs.
- Jim and Della were called the Magi by the writer.

Grammar Exercises:

Rewrite the sentences in the simple past tense:
- Della is very careful with her savings.
  Della was very careful with her savings.
- She saves only pennies each time.
  She saved only pennies each time.
- Jim gives her the combs as a gift.
  Jim gave her the combs as a gift.
- They have sacrificed their treasures.
  They sacrificed their treasures.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate forms of the verbs given in brackets:
- Della sold (sell) her hair to buy a gift for Jim.
- Jim was (be) shocked to see Della without her hair.
- They exchanged (exchange) their gifts with love.
- Both of them sacrificed (sacrifice) their treasures for each other.

Writing Exercises:

Describe the theme of “The Gift of the Magi” in your own words (50–70 words):
The theme of “The Gift of the Magi” revolves around selfless love and sacrifice. Della and Jim each give up their most prized possessions to buy meaningful gifts for each other, only to realize their gifts are now impractical. However, their actions showcase the depth of their love, proving that true wealth lies in selflessness and understanding rather than material possessions.

Imagine you are Della. Write a diary entry describing your feelings after exchanging the gifts (100 words):
Diary Entry:
Today was bittersweet. I sold my hair, my pride, to buy Jim a chain for his cherished watch. I was nervous about his reaction, but I wanted him to know how much he means to me. When I saw his face, I worried he wouldn’t love me the same. Then, he surprised me with the combs I’ve always dreamed of, only to learn he sold his watch for them. Oh, how ironic! Yet, I feel we’re richer than ever. Our love, proven by these sacrifices, is priceless. I may have lost my hair, but I’ve gained something far greater.

Paragraph Writing:

1. Why are the gifts of Della and Jim compared to those of the Magi?

The gifts of Della and Jim are compared to those of the Magi because they both sacrificed their most treasured possessions to show love for each other. Like the Magi, who brought precious gifts to honor baby Jesus, Jim and Della’s gifts reflected the true spirit of selfless giving. Although their gifts became practically useless due to their sacrifices, the love and thought behind the gifts made them invaluable. This irony of their actions highlights the depth of their love and their wisdom in understanding the essence of true giving.

2. Write on the appropriateness of the title.

The title "The Gift of the Magi" is appropriate because it reflects the story’s central theme of love, sacrifice, and selflessness. Just as the Magi, the wise men from the East, brought precious gifts to honor Christ, Jim and Della gave up their most valued possessions for each other out of love. Though their gifts were materially impractical, the sacrifices they made were priceless, symbolizing the true meaning of giving. The title encapsulates the wisdom and love behind their actions, making it both meaningful and poetic.

3. Imagine you are Della and write about the conflict you went through before you sacrificed your hair.

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my long, beautiful hair. It was my pride, my treasure. But tomorrow was Christmas, and I had no money to buy a special gift for Jim. I thought about his kind eyes, his tired but loving smile, and how much he deserved something meaningful. My heart ached as I picked up the scissors, knowing this decision would change everything. I felt fear, hesitation, and sadness, but I also felt a deep love for Jim that gave me strength. With trembling hands, I cut my hair, knowing that my love for him was worth any sacrifice.

Additional Question Answers:

1. Who are the main characters in "The Gift of the Magi"?

The main characters are Della and Jim, a young couple who love each other deeply but are financially poor.

2. What is Della's main problem in the story?

Della's main problem is that she wants to buy a special Christmas gift for Jim but has very little money.

3. What does Della decide to sell to get money for the gift?

Della decides to sell her long, beautiful hair to a wig maker for $20.

4. What does Della buy for Jim with the money she gets from selling her hair?

Della buys a platinum fob chain for Jim’s prized pocket watch.

5. What is Jim’s main problem in the story?

Jim’s main problem is that he wants to buy a special gift for Della but doesn’t have enough money.

6. What does Jim sell to get money for Della’s gift?

Jim sells his pocket watch, which is very valuable to him, to buy Della a gift.

7. What gift does Jim buy for Della?

Jim buys a set of combs for Della’s hair, which she has always wanted.

8. What happens when Della and Jim exchange their gifts?

Both Della and Jim realize that their gifts are useless because Della sold her hair (for the chain) and Jim sold his watch (for the combs).

9. Why does the couple make sacrifices for each other?

Both Della and Jim sacrifice something precious to them because they love each other and want to give a meaningful gift.

10. What is the central theme of "The Gift of the Magi"?

The central theme is selfless love and the sacrifices people make for those they care about.

11. What is the significance of the title "The Gift of the Magi"?

The title refers to the wise men (Magi) who brought gifts to Jesus. The couple's sacrifices for each other are symbolic of the Magi’s gift-giving, representing selfless love.

12. How does Della feel when she sees Jim's reaction to her haircut?

Della feels nervous and anxious, worried that Jim will not love her without her long hair.

13. How does Jim react when he sees Della’s short hair?

Jim is surprised but doesn’t care about her appearance. He still loves her, even though she no longer has the beautiful hair she had before.

14. What is the main irony in the story?

The main irony is that both Della and Jim sell their most valuable possessions (her hair and his watch) to buy gifts for each other, but their gifts become useless because of the sacrifices they made.

15. How does the story show the value of love over material things?

The story shows that love and sacrifice are more important than material possessions. The couple's willingness to give up their most treasured items for each other reflects the depth of their love.

16. How does the author convey the idea of "wisdom" in the story?

The author compares Della and Jim's sacrifices to the wise men (Magi), showing that their selfless actions are a form of wisdom in the way they express love.

17. How does Della feel after receiving the combs from Jim?

Della feels deeply touched and grateful for Jim’s sacrifice, even though she can’t use the combs because her hair is now short.

18. What does Jim’s sacrifice say about his character?

Jim’s sacrifice shows that he is loving, selfless, and willing to give up something of great value to make Della happy.

19. How does the story of "The Gift of the Magi" end?

The story ends with Della and Jim realizing that their love and sacrifices are more meaningful than the material gifts they had hoped to give each other.

20. What lesson can be learned from the story?

The lesson from the story is that true love is shown through selflessness and sacrifice. Material possessions are not as important as the love and sacrifices we make for those we care about.

Summary of the Lesson

Summary of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry:

The story revolves around a young couple, Della and Jim, who are deeply in love but financially struggling. As Christmas approaches, Della has saved only $1.87 to buy a gift for Jim, which she feels is inadequate given her desire to give him something special. In a moment of desperation, she decides to sell her long, beautiful hair, which she treasures, to buy a platinum fob chain for Jim's prized possession, his gold watch.

Meanwhile, Jim also wishes to give Della a meaningful gift. Unbeknownst to her, he sells his beloved watch to buy a set of beautiful combs that Della has long admired but could never afford.

When they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, both are initially overwhelmed with joy, but this quickly turns to a poignant realization of their sacrifices. Della, now without her hair, and Jim, now without his watch, understand the depth of their love and the irony of their gifts. O. Henry concludes with a reflection on the nature of giving, highlighting that their sacrifices make them the wisest of gift-givers, akin to the Magi who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus.

The story beautifully illustrates the themes of love, sacrifice, and the true spirit of giving, emphasizing that the value of gifts lies not in their material worth but in the love and thought behind them.

Discover comprehensive solutions for 'The Gift of the Magi' from Class 10 English, provided by KSEEB Solutions. Access accurate answers, detailed explanations, and valuable insights to excel in your exams and understand this timeless story of love and sacrifice