The details of this excerpt are best described as fast-paced events that are described in long
sentences.
fast-paced events that are more about the action
than the description.
slow-paced events that are more about descriptions
than actions.
O slow-paced events that are told in many short
sentences.

1. The morals it teaches

2. The literary device used (irony)

Explanation:

The Gift of Magi is a short story written by O. Henry. The qualities possessed by this story that make it effective for me are:

1. the morals it teaches and

2.the irony used in the story

The poor couple in this story exemplify the pricelessness of giving and the sincerity of love. Both Jim and Della sacrificed their most treasured possessions to get a gift for one another. They never minded the shame or low self-esteem it might bring to them. Della preferred to lose her ever adorable long hair just to satisfy her husband. In similar manner, Jim sold his only watch to buy a comb for his wife's long beautiful hair. This is a sincere and rare show of live.

The irony in this story is also a very good reason why it is effective. While reading the story, no one could have thought that the gifts bought by the couple would be useless to the recipients. The comb Jim bought for Della is now useless because she no longer has a hair to comb. The chain Della bought for Jim is now of no use to him as he no longer has a watch to chain. This is an irony, a direct opposite to the expectations of either of them.