Final Draft, Short story book jacket.

 For this writing project, my goal was to capture a quick snapshot of the author and story I was writing about. I wanted to take someone to the world that "The Gift of the Magi" is in, without retelling the whole story. My audience for this would be to introduce someone to this story or this author and get them excited about reading these works. 

Kathleen Rollings

Deana Nall

Engl 1312: W70

10-17-2023

The Gift of the Magi Jacket Cover

This story by O. Henry captures the wonderful emotions that come with loving someone and what you are willing to do for them. In this story we are taken through the life of a lovely couple named Jim and Della. We see them during the holidays and the lengths they go to, to show the true message of love and giving in this world, especially in that season.

William Sydney Porter, more commonly known under the pen name he adapted while in prison O. Henry. Is a famous short story author known for the last minute twists in his story. Growing up in southern country of the United States, had numerous different practical jobs including a bank teller and working at the Texas land office, but his real passion was always for writing and creating cartoons. If it had not been for, the financial issues and Porter losing his wife Athol we probably would have never had his stories today.

 

Credible Sources for Author

“O. Henry Biography: Austin Public Library.” O. Henry Biography | Austin Public Library, library.austintexas.gov/ahc/o-henry-biography. Accessed 17 October 2023.

Case, Bill. “The Secret Life of William Sydney Porter.” O.Henry Magazine, O.Henry Magazine, 7 Sept. 2017, www.ohenrymag.com/the-secret-life-of-william-sydney-porter/. Accessed 17 October 2023.

Book Jacket Quotes

“In other words, what is remarkable about ‘The Gift of the Magi’ is that its moral seems to be not just ‘giving is better than receiving’ but ‘giving and losing is all that matters’, since what they receive is of no practical use to them.”

Tearle, Oliver. “Book Review: The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry).” Interesting Literature, https://interestingliterature.com/2021/12/o-henry-gift-of-the-magi-summary-analysis/

“There never was, I think, a better scribbler for a newspaper than William Sydney Porter. He worked as a staff writer for the Houston Daily Post from June 1875 to October 1896. I’ve had in my library, since my college days, a very thick volume titled “The Complete Works of O. Henry.” In it are many pieces of his writing first discovered in 1936, some 40 years after he left the paper, in the Post’s no doubt dusty and musty basement. In those days, newspapers saved much more and for much longer times than they do today. Thar’s gold in them-thar hills! Well, once upon a time, there was.”

Schreadley, R. L. “‘Book Review: The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry).” The Post and Courier, 23 December 2017, https://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/commentary/the-gift-of-the-magi-offers-timeless-christmas-wisdom/article_6dd3673a-e5cb-11e7-a760-4742dcf3cf47.html

“Though the story is long and of another era, Henry’s touching account of young love at Christmas has an enduring appeal.”

Danowski, Sonja. “Book Review: The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry).” Kirkus Reviews, 1 October 2013, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/o-henry/the-gift-of-the-magi-danowski/

“O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” is the touching story of a poor, young couple whose love knows no bounds and they’re ready to sacrifice their most, and more importantly, their only, valuable possessions to find the perfect Christmas gifts for each other. In their willingness to give up all they have – they prove to be the wisest of all gift-givers – as wise as the Magi. For by sacrificing their most treasured possessions, they gain something even more valuable: the purity of true love which is beyond all worldly wealth.”

Arsalan. “Book Review: The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry).” Academic Master, 2 September 2019, https://academic-master.com/literary-analysis-the-gift-of-the-magi/