Setting

.......The action takes place in New York City in a very modest apartment and in a hair shop down the street from the apartment. Although Porter does not mention New York by name, he does refer to Coney Island, the city's most famous amusement park, located in the borough of Brooklyn. Porter lived in New York when he wrote and published the "The Gift of the Magi." 

Characters

Della Young: Pretty 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 sells his gold watch to buy a gift for Della. 

Madame Sofronie: Shop owner who buys Della's hair.

Who are the two children?

Jim and Della

Why does O' Henry refer to them as "children"?

Although they are both young adults, they are simple like children in many

ways.

How were they unwise?

They sold valuable things to buy gifts that they didn't really need to buy in the

first place, because they were truly in love.

How were they wise?

They thought only of the other person and not of themselves when they gave

their gifts.

And now I think we should have our dinner.

Jim: he doesn't want either of them to worry or think too much about their new

gifts and lost possessions. He just wants them to enjoy Christmas together.

Will you buy my hair?

Della: she is willing to sacrifice her beautiful hair to be able to buy a nice gift for

her husband.

I sold the watch to get the money to buy the combs.

Jim: he is willing to sell his most prized possession, his watch, to buy Della a

nice gift.

You've cut off your hair?

Jim: he realizes that Della will not need the combs he bought her for a while.

Isn't it perfect, Jim?

Della: she really wants to make Jim happy.

What could I do with a dollar and eighty-seven cents?

Della: she doesn't have very much money and she is worried that she can't

buy a nice present for Jim.

Don't you like me now?

Della: she is worried that Jim will not like her with short hair.

You won't care, will you?

Della: she is worried that Jim will not like her with short hair.

.