Introduction
O-Henry (September 11 1862- june 5, 1910) is a famous American writer whose real name is
William Sydney Porter . O-Henry’s short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm
characterization, and clever twist endings. “The Gift Of The Magi” is one of interesting short
story which is I have already read.
The gift of Magi Summary
Jim and Della, a poor couple who are in love with each other are focus characters in the
interesting story “The Gift of Magi.” It’s a classic story about giving and receiving affection. The
family’s squalid living conditions are described in detail in the storey. It is two possessions that
Jim is particularly proud of: his ancestral gold wristwatch, as well as his wife’s gorgeous and
flowing long hair. Jim and Della’s desire to increase the value of each other’s possessions on
Christmas Eve, ironically, results in an embarrassing situation for both of them. While making an
earnest effort to show their genuine affection and concern for one another, they decide to
choose the best possible Christmas gift for one another.
For the sake of purchasing a platinum fob chain for Jim’s gold watch, Della sacrifices her long
hair, whereas Jim sells his only valuable possession for the sake of purchasing a set of combs
for Della. Jim is sincerely interested in fulfilling Della’s desire for the combs. In spite of this, their
unthinking sacrifice for one another turns out to be the most wise of the Magi’s gifts because it
demonstrates the strength and test of true love.
Analysis
In many ways, “The Gift of the Magi” is a storey about what it means to be valuable and what
makes something valuable. Is it true that the value of something is solely determined by its
price? Alternatively, are there things that are more valuable than money? The main characters
are impoverished – this is repeatedly stressed – and yet the storey suggests that their love for
one another makes them extremely wealthy, according to the plot. It is this love that drives them
to part with the only things of monetary (or personal) value they possess in order to purchase
gifts for one another. Perhaps it is because of their plight that they are able to appreciate what
truly matters. It demonstrates that they are wealthier in their hearts despite their plight in terms
of living conditions.
The Gift of the Magi is a classic example of irony in literature. Irony is a literary technique in
which an expectation of what is supposed to occur differs greatly from the actual outcome. In
this case, Jim and Della sacrifice their most treasured possessions so that the other can fully
enjoy his or her gift.
Conclusion
By a strange and deeply ironic combination of events, Jim and Della have ended up giving each
other useless gifts for Christmas. Jim has given Della a fancy set of combs for her beautiful hair.
The trouble is that Della has sold most of her hair to pay for a new watch chain for her husband.
However, Jim sold his watch to buy Della those fancy combs, and so Jim and Della have ended
up receiving useless gifts from one another.
However, Jim and Della are much too sympathetic to be treated by O'Henry as fools. It would
be unfair in the extreme if the conclusion of the story made them out to be foolish. While
O'Henry does admit that they were foolish, he also goes on to say that among those who give
and receive gifts, they are the wisest.
What Henry means by this is that Della and Jim understand that the act of gift-giving is steeped
in love. It isn't about whether the relevant gifts are of immediate use. It's the thought that counts,
as well as the loving sentiments that go into the thought behind the giving of a gift. Herein lies
true wisdom.
Overall, the kind of literary criticism approach "The gift of the magi" is a Feminist approach.
