Post 2

• How does the author’s diction create the tone and mood of the short story? In your explanation, include the denotative and connotative meanings of words chosen by the author.

  In the story “The Gift of The Magi” by William Sydney Porter. In this story he makes the mood seem gloomy but happy and exciting in some parts. The author talks in a caring tone that also expresses sadness of their money problems. He chooses to use the word ransacked to show how quickly she was looking for a present he also uses it in a neutral connotation because he doesn’t direct it as being frustrated nor does he direct it as happy. He also uses the word owned instead of saying something along the lines of them being together. He uses the word in a positive connotation even though it seems negative.In the story the author uses the word tore in this sentence “white fingers and nimble tore at the strings and paper” tore meaning opening in this sentence he used it in a positive connentation with excitment. Also in the story the author exaggerates certain words to make the story more emphasized throughout the story. For example in the story he says “something fine and rare and sterling-something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by jim” the author exaggerates how apparently della is owned by jim when she really is not necessarily owned by him she is just in a relationship with him. The author uses the word white in this text “then she heard his steps on the stairway down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment”white meaning she became pale and the connotation meaning she got scared of what he might think.