A few outlines about O.

Henry´s literary style:

*DRAMATIC IRONY

A literary device----when the reader knows something that the characters don´t. (We
wish we can tell the character, but we can´t.)

Surprise endings: an ironic twist of the action as an end of the story.

*USE OF ADDRESSING READERS AS YOU. (As a way of making readers get involved in the
story.)

*FILMING TECHNIQUES---vivid images

VOCAB. ACTIVITIES:

Browse the web and, in your own words, try to explain the meaning of the following words &
expressions. (Be ready to do so in front of the class…)

Pennies

Close dealing

Had been flung to the breeze

Powder rag

Pier glass

whirled

“a pier-glass in an $8 Bat.” (irony)

“Had the Queen of Sheba lived…”

Airshaft

Pluck at his beard

Faltered

On went her old brown jacket, on went her old brown hat.

“She cluttered out of the door…”

”on rosy wings”

Fob chain

Chaste in design

Meretricious

On the sly
“She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas…”

Ravages

“Coney Island chorus girl.”

“… a setter at the scent of quail”. (filming technique)

Wriggled off.

“For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object.”

“…had me going…” (colloquial)

“White fingers and nimble…”

“for there lay…”

Look up in your dict. and give synonyms for the following words as they are used in the text.

Parsimony

Sterling

Tripped

Craved & yearn

Dandy

Lamely

TRY TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS FOR A DEBATE IN CLASS:

 Why did Jim say their presents were “too nice to use just as present”?
 Do you think the 2 Xmas gifts proved useless for Jim & Della?
 Why the title? (clue: wisdom & precious)
 What makes a gift valuable?
 Describe the most valuable gift you have ever received/given and explain why it was
so.