The Theme of the Magi

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The Theme of the Magi Max Lei ENG 125 – Intro to Literature Jennifer Wiseman Jan 27th 2014 The reading selection which I have chosen to critique this week is the Gift of the Magi by William Sidney Porter. It is one of many literary works assigned for reading during week two, but unlike the other written works assigned I made a connection with this short story. I valued this short story originally because a similar experienced during Christmas, and so a personal sentiment developed. But after reading Gift of the Magi over and over I was able to re-evaluate the written work for its true qualities, the use of key literary element. Using a formalist approach outlined by class courseware my emphasis will pertain to supporting the memorable qualities a third person perspective presents, plot developments and important literary tools. This short begins with a “third person perspective: limited” where the main character actions, thoughts and emotions are on display for the reader. The narrator gives a glimpse of the unfolding dilemma with this heart breaking scene during the introductory paragraph; “One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one’s cheeks burned…” (Clugston, 2010, Section 5.3). Using this third person perspective the reader narrates the mental dialogue of the female character. Like a script the author weaves in and out of Della process of thought. Quite often during the narrators dialogue, this third person perspective creates a sense of reoccurring urgency by eluding the fast approaching Christmas and her lack of a presentable gift to her husband. The best example of this urgency is expressed during Della’s dialogue with shop keeper who will purchase her hair; “Give it to me quick,” said Della.

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