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The Gift of the Magi, The Black Stones, compare and contrast - Coggle…
The Gift of the Magi
Story elements
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Character: 3 Protagonists, Mrs. Yates, Della, and Jim
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Plot
Exposition: The narrator introducing the young, struggling couple, Della and Jim.
Rising action: Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and Della had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result.
Climax: When Jim finally went home from work. Seeing his wife's hair cut off, he suddenly just stand still at his place without being angry, surprised, or disapproval. He asked his wife to make sure that her hair had been really gone. Della cried and told him that she cut it off and sold it.
Falling Action: the realization of Della and Jim that they are unable to use each other's gifts as of now as they both sacrificed their favorite things to buy gifts for each other.
Resolution: while Della and Jim do not have what they need to make use of their Christmas gifts, these gifts are anything but worthless. For, they are proof of the real gift that each has given the other: His and her love.
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Meaning of words, phrases:
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discreet: careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, especially in order to avoid causing offense
magi: the three wise men in the Bible who traveled from the East to give gifts to Jesus after his birth
Main idea:
The main idea or central theme of the story is that true love is more important than money or possessions. This is shown through both Jim and Della's sacrifices for the other. Jim sells his prized watch in order to buy Della a set of combs for her hair, and Della sold her hair to buy Jim a pocket watch chain
Reading strategy: Re-reading, to figure out the main idea and meaning of words and phrases.
The Black Stones
Story elements
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Character: 3 Protagonists, Tala, Paco, Mrs. Yates
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Example: Tala glanced around nervously before snatching up the two small black stones near the riverbank at the base of Apache Leap Mountain.
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Example: Tala knew that if she revealed the stones to her brother Paco, he would beg and plead with her to give them to him until she became furious or gave in to his outrageous demands. Tala spun around to confront him.
Plot
Exposition: The narrator introducing the twins that never get along, Tala and Paco.
Rising Action: The rising action is about Tala and Paco arguing over black stones they found. Tala wants to keep them, but Paco insists on seeing them. Mrs. Yates tries to make peace. This conflict sets the stage for the resolution, where they work together on a research project about the stones.
Climax: when Tala and Paco, after conducting research together, realize that both of their perspectives on the black stones are valid. The revelation that the stones are obsidian, formed from volcanic activity, and are also considered good-luck stones represents a turning point. This mutual understanding leads to a moment of agreement between the siblings, marking the climax of the story.
Falling Action: Tala and Paco, working together to research and understand the significance of the obsidian stones. They delve into the legend of Apache Tears, learning about the stones' connection to the Apache women and their mourning. The falling action also involves the twins presenting their findings to their mother, Mrs. Yates, and collectively acknowledging the deeper meaning behind the stones.
Resolution: Tala and Paco having researched and understood the significance of the obsidian stones, decide to give them to Mrs. Yates. This selfless gesture symbolizes their newfound unity and willingness to let go of the conflict. Mrs. Yates, touched by their gesture, incorporates the stones into a necklace, which she wears as a constant reminder of the family's reconciliation.
Meaning of words, phrases:
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Main idea
The Black Stones tells the story of eleven-year-old twins who learn how to put aside their differences and get along with each other. Tala finds two obsidian stones and wants to learn more about how they were formed from a scientific viewpoint. Her brother Paco isn't interested in science and wants to find out if the stones are lucky charms or have magical properties. Their mother forces them to work together to find the answers. The twins are surprised to find out that they like working together.
Re-reading, to figure out the main idea and meaning of words and phrases.
compare and contrast
The Gift of the Magi
"The Stones" focuses on sibling dynamics and the resolution through shared understanding within a family
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Similarities
Both "The Stones" and "The Gift of the Magi" share a theme of selfless sacrifice, where characters make sacrifices for the well-being and happiness of their loved ones.