Title: The Gift of the Magi
Author: O. Henry
Genre: Short Story, Romance
First Publication: 1905
Language: English
Summary: The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
O. Henry’s classic tale of the wisest gifts of Christmas is itself a gift to share and treasure.
In a shabby New York flat, Della sobs as she counts the few coins she has saved to buy a Christmas present for her husband, Jim. One dollar and eighty-seven cents is all the money she has in the world. A gift worthy of her devotion will require a great sacrifice: selling her long, beautiful hair. Set in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, this classic piece of American literature tells the story of a young couple and the value of love.
Jim, meanwhile, has made a sacrifice for Della that is no less difficult. As they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, the discovery of what each has done fills them with despair, until they realize that the true gifts of Christmas can be found more readily in their humble apartment than in any fine store. Set in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, this classic piece of American literature tells the story of a young couple and the value of love.
O. Henry paints a masterly portrait of unfaltering love, a haven from the harsh world outside. The poignancy of his story is captured in Zwerger’s eloquent art, wherein every glance, every gesture, tells a subtle truth.
Review: The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
The Gift of the Magi is a famous short story by O. Henry first published in 1905. It focuses on a young married couple, Jim and Della, who sacrifice treasured possessions in order to buy Christmas gifts for one another. They each give up their most prized belonging to afford a gift for their beloved, only to discover the gifts are rendered useless by the sacrifices they have made. The story highlights themes of love, sacrifice, and generosity amid poverty. With its poignant irony and affirmation of hope, The Gift of the Magi continues to be one of O. Henry’s most renowned and widely anthologized stories.
The story is set on Christmas Eve and centers around impoverished newlyweds Della and Jim Young. They live in a modest apartment and have little money to spare. As Christmas approaches, Della despairs at not having enough money to buy a nice present for Jim. She resolves to sell her beautiful long hair, her most beloved physical feature, in order to afford a nice gift. After sacrificing her hair, Della uses the funds to buy an elegant platinum fob chain for Jim’s cherished heirloom watch.
When Jim comes home, he is stunned by Della’s drastically cropped short hair. Della then presents him with the watch chain. Tragically, Jim reveals he has sold his watch in order to buy Della ornamental combs for her luxurious hair, which is no longer long enough to use them. Through their mutual sacrifice of prized possessions, the Youngs have rendered their thoughtful gifts ironic and useless.
Despite the irony, the story ultimately affirms the characters’ generosity and love. O. Henry concludes that while Wise Men may bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the Youngs’ gifts involve greater sacrifice. Their thoughtfully chosen gifts, now useless yet symbolizing deep devotion, make the Youngs the wisest gift-givers of all. The story ends on a hopeful note as the couple joyfully celebrates Christmas together, strengthened by adversity.
The story’s title references the Magi who brought gifts for the infant Jesus. This Biblical allusion signals that O. Henry views the Youngs’ ironic yet loving sacrifices as sacred. The name Della suggests both “delight” and “dell,” meaning valley. Her name symbolizes how she and Jim descend into poverty but can still find delight through shared love. The treasured watch and combs suggest time and beauty are fleeting. Only the Youngs’ devotion remains steadfast.
O. Henry uses potent irony regarding gifts to affirm the resilience of love. The gifts the Youngs sacrifice so much for become useless, yet this very irony twists back to underscore their willingness to give unconditionally for each other. The irony ultimately heightens rather than undermines the meaning of their sacrifices.
O. Henry’s trademark narrative surprise ending completes this poignant irony. Only as the story closes do we comprehend the tragic yet hopeful paradox arising from the young couple’s mutual selfless giving. The O. Henry surprise generates emotional catharsis rather than mere shock value.
Setting the story on Christmas Eve boosts its message of hope amid hardship. The Youngs have little money but possess bountiful love. O. Henry suggests true generosity comes not from material wealth but from the spirit of self-sacrifice for others. The luxurious gifts contrast with the Young’s economic deprivation but affirm that spiritual wealth matters most.
The story gently satirizes overly materialistic Christmas gift giving, suggesting thoughtfulness and sacrifice carry more meaning than lavish commercialism. The Magi brought symbolic gifts with spiritual import for Jesus; the Youngs do likewise in their humble apartment setting. O. Henry implies we can all achieve the spirit of Christmas by giving according to our means.
As popular in the 21st century as when published, The Gift of the Magi affirms why generosity, hope, and love outshine material poverty. O. Henry masterfully employs irony to emphasize how the spirit behind giving trumps the monetary value of gifts. The story continues to inspire adaptations across media through its uplifting themes and deft narrative surprise. Brief yet profound, The Gift of the Magi remains a beloved holiday classic.
