欧亨利 生平简介

IV. The Gift of the Magi
• It communicates the author’s heartfelt compassion on the poor. • The pure and honest love between the young couple easily strikes a sympathetic chord in the reader’s mind. • In Della’s “dim eyes” and Jim’s smile lies an irrevocable sorrow that creates an appealing esthetic effect. • The sacred feeling means an unspoken protest against the injustice of the society.
VI. Topics for Discussion
• 1.Who are the two foolish children in the last paragraph of “The Gift of the Magi”? Why does the author conclude that “these two were the wisest”? • 2. The young couple sacrifice for each other their greater treasures but neither has practical need for the other’s gift any more. What accounts for the ironic ending? Do you find anything precious here? • 3. What is the esthetic effect of the story? How does O. Henry achieve this?
V. The Cop and the Anthem
• Hale Waihona Puke Baidut tells of Soapy, a penniless loafer who wants to be arrested and to stay in prison as winter is coming. • With the policemen around, he breaks the shop windows, eats in a restaurant but does not pay, follows and flirts a young woman, and steals a gentleman’s umbrella, but he is not arrested for his wrongdoings. • When he reaches an old church and hears the Sabbath anthem, he is so touched at heart that he wants to turn over a new leaf in life. • Just at this moment, he is arrested because the policeman thinks that he is going to make trouble in the holy place.
II. Literary Career
• 1904: Cabbages and Kings《白菜与皇帝》 • 1906: The Four Million《四百万》 • 1907: Heart of the West《西部的心》 • 1907: The Trimmed Lamp《剪亮的灯盏》 • 1908: The Voice of the City《城市之声》 • 1908: The Gentle Grafter《善良的骗子》 • 1909: Roads of Destiny《命运之路》 • 1909: Options《选择》 • 1910: Strictly Business《毫不通融》 • 1911: Sixes and Sevens《乱七八糟》
III. Comment
• One of the most prolific modern American short story writer. • His short stories are typically American, portraying various types of people in the United States. • His stories usually deal with some self-sacrificing member of a family who is undergoing a hardship to help a close relative. • Although his plot is full of coincidence, the surprise ending is his specialty and appeals very much to the reader.
O. Henry (1862-1910)
The Gift of the Magi 《麦琪的礼物》
欧· 亨利
Picture of O. Henry
I. Life
• 1. Birthplace: Greensboro, North California • 2.Family Background: his father, a physician • 3. Education: did not receive much formal schooling • 4. Working Experiences: did a variety of odd jobs