What is ironic about the storys ending? Is this plot twist the ...

[justinmsk]

What is ironic about the storys ending? Is this plot twist the most important element of the conclusion? If not, what is?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why does Edie dislike Loretta Bird so much?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[juicepod]

Answer to Question 1

• The obvious irony is that what they sold to buy one anothers gifts made those gifts worthless from a practical standpoint. But the larger themeor the larger irony, if you preferis that those gifts were of much greater value as expressions of the depth and selflessness of their love for each other.

Answer to Question 2

• Edie views Loretta Bird with delightful disdain and constantly comments on the hypocrisy or pretension behind everything Loretta Bird says. She dislikes Loretta for her smugness and her know-itall approach to every situation, and she dislikes her for talking down to Dr. and Mrs. Peebles in their own house. In addition to her personal disdain for Loretta, Edie is no doubt resentful of her for giving the Peebles family a negative impression of country people, and worried that that impression will influence their view of Edie herself.