Discussion of The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

To discuss the wisdom of giving and receiving gifts. What makes a gift or giver wise or foolish? How should you decide what you should give?

Duration: 
Print30 minute discussion + reading time
Objectives: 

Students will:

  • Challenge each other about what the best gifts are to give or receive
  • Prompt each other about the appropriateness of specific gifts
  • Assess the worth of gifts
  • Decide whether an ordinarily good gift is a good gift from this particular giver or for this particular recipient
Materials: 

Class copies of Kass, Amy A. (Ed.). (2002). The Perfect Gift: The Philanthropic Imagination in Poetry and Prose. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. Chapter: “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry.

Instructions: 
Print
  1. Students read O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” for homework or in class.

  2. Class discussion about the story and perspectives on giving and receiving.

Assessment: 

Student reflections on the story