Read the following excerpt from “the gift of the magi” and answer the question.

for there lay the combs--the set of combs, side and back, that della had worshipped long in a broadway window. beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jewelled rims--just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair. they were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession. and now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone.

but she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "my hair grows so fast, jim! and them della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried, "oh, oh! " jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. she held it out to him eagerly upon her open palm. the dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit."isn't it a dandy, jim? i hunted all over town to find it. you'll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. give me your watch. i want to see how it looks on it."

instead of obeying, jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled."della," said he, "let's put our christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. they're too nice to use just at present. i sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. and now suppose you put the chops on."

the magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the babe in the manger. they invented the art of giving christmas presents. being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. and here i have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. but in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. o all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. everywhere they are wisest. they are the magi.

what type of conflict is implied in the passage above?

person vs. person
person vs. self
person vs. nature
person vs. society

The type of conflict which is implied in the above passage is Person vs. Self.

In the short story “The Gift of Magi,” the American writer O. Henry speaks about the feeling of love and the emotions related to it. The couple Della and Jim are so much in love with each other that they would sacrifice anything for their partner to be happy. Since they are poor, they both fall short in arranging money for the Christmas gift. Della wanted to buy a platinum chain for Jim’s watch, but her savings were not enough for the gift. Della decided to sell off her long hair and buy a platinum chain for Jim's watch while Jim sold off her watch to buy a beautiful comb for Della's beautiful hair. The last scene of the story reflects on their love for each other which is beyond the materialistic nature of the world. Their sacrifice for each other made them the wisest people like Magi.

modern day technological advancements are constantly seen throughout every aspect of life. cell phones, portable internet availability, laptop computers, ipods, mp3 players of every brand, and many other devices, are everywhere. they seem to possess unending possible detriments, but, along with such issues, technology also has positive impacts on today’s youth. in some situations, the internet and ipod prevent sociability, though in others they may be the cause of increased social activity. overall, modern technology has the capability to bring people together as well as enhance the social abilities of the today’s youth; however, if used without discretion, can also create a less interactive generation, frequently depending on technology for contentment.  

the immense capabilities of the internet today are astonishing, and offer many positive opportunities for teens. primarily, the internet makes sharing information fast and simple, despite factors that in other cases would prohibit such simple distribution. according to jean-francois coget in source c, “with the internet, information can be transmitted and received with ease at any time of the day to and from any number of friends.” it is possible to send videos, pictures, papers, projects, and a quantity of other things with the click of a button. the transfer can happen in seconds. the amazing capability of modern day internet simplifies teenage life, by providing a way to convey knowledge. another way in which internet proves positive is by providing a way to keep in touch with friends and family worldwide, or just across town. whether it’s a friend that switched schools and is never around, or a family member in london, the internet makes it possible to email, instant message, and even video chat. such qualities of internet communication bring people together with more frequent contact, boosting sociability and relationships. in addition, the internet also has the capability to, “foster openness, self-confidence, and a greater sense of ease, and comfort in dealing with others” (source c). since it is not obligatory to reveal physical appearance or social status over the internet, it grants an opportunity to be a completely new person, who is entirely open and confident. internet chats, even with mere acquaintances, can supply a chance for socially challenged teens to experience a form of social interaction, in order to create a sense of composure. modern day internet advancements not only offer an easier way to share information, but also contribute to sociability by providing a way to communicate with distant friends and family, as well as giving socially challenged teenagers an opportunity for interaction.

likewise, another modern day technology, the ipod, may also have a positive effect on some teenagers, by presenting a different view of the world as well as uniting individuals through musical taste. in the eyes of kelly doyle-mace, in source d, “music deepens the experience of walking through the world, rather than detracting from it.” there are millions of songs out there, one to match every possible mood. sometimes, turning on just the right song can be motivational and provide a completely new outlook on a certain circumstance. in addition, lyrics are often relatable to personal life and can be significant or simply encouraging. another way in which ipods and personal musical taste is a positive effect on teens is by uniting people of different backgrounds and diversities through their music choice. lisa and johnny rocket, hosts of “ipod dj nights,” describe that one night a month they invite guests to bring their ipods to a london bar. where they can play whatever songs they choose (source d). “even more diverse than the music are the members… the ipod acts to bring people together,” lisa explains (source d). these gatherings prove that as diverse as music can be, it is also unifying. the multitudes of people attending these parties, from every race background and belief, are united through their assorted music taste. ipods have the potential to positively affect today’s youth by matching any and every mood with music, resulting in a deeper walk through life, as well as bringing people together by means of musical interest.

the alternative argument is that the internet can be a significantly negative influence on teenagers, if overused. constant internet use detracts time that could be spent with friends and family. hours wasted away typing useless messages is detrimental to personal relationships with the ones who really matter. it was discovered through a study in pittsburgh that people who use the internet most often are “spending less time talking with their families…keeping up with fewer friends” (source b). it is of no use to spend so much time talking to people over the internet, when one could just as easily walk down the stairs and spend time with family, or go to see friends instead. according to source