1. Group Work: Dramatization.
Animators and movie makers use a technique called “story-boarding” to illustrate the scenes as they want them to be represented on screen. A story board is like a sketch of the characters and setting, with the intention of visually interpreting, plot, conflict and theme. Even though it may be difficult to draw illustrations that would interpret events from a story such as The Gift of the Magi, it is possible to provide short written descriptions of each scene as it is intended to be portrayed. This is a common technique in script writing.
· Plot a new ending for the story.
· Imagine that Della tries to buy back Jim’s watch.
· How will she raise the money?
· What will Jim’s reaction be?
Draw a few sketches that illustrate the scenes from the story or write descriptions of the scenes as you would like them to be portrayed. In groups of three, plan and perform a short skit using the dialog you have created and the scenes you have visualized. Think carefully about all the elements you have worked with: character, setting, plot, conflict and theme. How does your new ending relate to each of these elements?
2. Pair Work: Rank the major and minor themes.
Rank the major and minor themes identified above, one being the main theme in the story and some the less important themes. There are many possibilities, depending on your personal beliefs. Compare and contrast your choice for main theme with other people.
3. Solo Work: Magic number three.
In The Gift of the Magi, the number three figures prominently. Consider the following sentences and fill in the information according to the story:
1) The story has three characters: _____, ________ and _____.
2) Della counts her money _____ times in Paragraph 1.
3) The narrator says that “Life is made up of _____, _____, and _____ ”.(Para. 2)
4) The story refers three times to the Youngs’ supper entree:_____.