Classic American Short Stories | Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights

To enjoy and better understand “The Gift of the Magi,” note the following:

Plot:

Pay attention to the development of “The Gift of the Magi” and how the characters' situations and decisions stem directly from the plot. Nothing could have happened as it does without the love between the main characters.

Themes:

  • Sacrifice and unconditional love are the most important parts of life.

  • Christmas is the time for putting someone else ahead of one's self.

  • Material goods mean less than people think.

  • Poverty is less significant than it seems on the surface.

Setting:

Christmastime in New York City is an especially effective setting for this short story:

  • It is winter and cold, which emphasizes Della and Jim's bleak living quarters.

  • It is the traditional time for giving gifts, yet the main characters are very poor.

  • The time of the original biblical story allows O. Henry to liken the characters to the Magi.

  • New York is traditionally thought of as a harsh, unsympathetic place.

Unique Elements in O. Henry's Story:

  • Readers can identify closely with the characters in “The Gift of the Magi”.

  • Optimism is an important part in the story; O. Henry looks on the cheerful, positive side of life, offering hope rather than despair.

  • The twist, or surprise ending, is typical of many of O. Henry's stories.