illustration of two people, a woman and a man, looking at one another in profile with an ornate hair comb between them

The Gift of the Magi

by O. Henry

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Themes and Meanings

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O. Henry often chose to translate tragedy or misfortune into an emphasized regard and tenderness for the unlucky or the underdog. He never cared for the so-called higher classes but preferred to cull his characters, and his sympathies, from watching ordinary people on the streets and in the shops and cafés. This perspective on the world around him is highly visible in “The Gift of the Magi,” where, to enforce his quasi-religious message, he counterpoints the elements of love and caring with those of poverty and sacrifice.

The extreme devotion manifested on the part of the young married couple becomes almost incongruous when contrasted against the dreariness and bleakness of their material surroundings. Each arrives at the conclusion that it is impossible to live through Christmas without granting the other’s supreme wish. It is not “selfish magnanimity”—a desire to revel in the sacrifice of giving—that motivates them. They truly embrace the noble sentiment of selflessness.

Thus, despite the specter of poverty, the story is animated by an unexpressed hope for the future. (This is a variation on the old theme that love conquers all, particularly material setbacks.) By setting the story at Christmastime, the author suggests that simple, unselfish human love is the basis of such hope for humankind.

Style and Technique

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O. Henry’s humor and imagination conquer any journalistic tendencies he may have transferred to fiction. His penchant for dramatic irony, a trademark in many of his short stories, gives his style its distinctive flavor. Gentle and ingenious, his writing is pervaded by that eminently salable quality known as “human interest.” This quality is best exemplified in his quest for sincerity: his desire to write about real people in real situations.

Della and Jim are not the products of an overly sentimental imagination. The author strives to create circumstances as well as physical surroundings that ring true to life. Both the protagonists accept life as they find it without giving in to the negative emotions of hopelessness or despair. Della’s only moment of doubt still revolves around her husband’s well-being, when she seeks divine intervention so that she may remain pretty in Jim’s eyes. Jim covers his fear of Della’s disappointment with an almost affected nonchalance when he requests that they merely put their Christmas gifts away and keep them for an unspecified future. Only then does he reveal that he has sacrificed his treasure to secure Della’s desire. His certainty that they will both use these items in the future provides the unspoken thought that life is bound to improve for them.

The protagonists do not react to each other out of saintliness, duty, or love of self-imposed sacrifice: They simply embody the twin spirits of love and Christmas. For the less-than-devout O. Henry, these essences are one and the same. The author suggests that sentiment does not have to be sacrificed to the cause of realism.

Places Discussed

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*New York City

*New York City. Crowded city in which the Youngs rent for eight dollars per month a second-story flat. It is furnished, but with obviously second-hand and outdated furniture. O. Henry skillfully evokes the shabbiness of the rented rooms and the building that contains them, calling attention to such details as the nonfunctional mailslot in the lobby and the broken doorbell. Within the flat itself, he points out the worn carpet and couch and the almost useless piece of mirror that Della has for making herself up.

It is essential that the narrator explain the poor circumstances in which the loving couple do live. The lack of any elegance or pride in their immediate surroundings must be emphasized so readers understand why it is so vital that each character present the other with a wonderful Christmas gift. Surroundings so dismal make both Jim and Della yearn for any possession of substantial beauty and worth as a gift. However, what each sacrifices to please the other makes the other’s gift useless.

Expert Q&A

What type of flat do the Youngs live in, in "The Gift of the Magi"?

The Youngs live in a shabby, furnished flat on the second floor, paying $8 a week for rent. The flat is poorly equipped, with a broken buzzer and small letter-box, indicating their poverty. Despite financial hardships, they sacrifice their most valued possessions to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts, highlighting their deep love and generosity. The story's irony underscores the theme of selfless love, as they each purchase gifts rendered useless by their sacrifices.

How is the apartment described in "The Gift of the Magi"?

The apartment in "The Gift of the Magi" is described as a modest, shabby flat, indicative of Jim and Della's financial struggles. The furnishings include a worn red carpet and a shabby couch, contributing to the overall sense of poverty. The flat lacks a separate kitchen, and the building is a converted former mansion, now deteriorated. O. Henry interweaves these details with the narrative to enhance the story's atmosphere and emotional depth.

What does the apartment's description in "The Gift of the Magi" reveal about the couple's economic situation?

The apartment description in "The Gift of the Magi" highlights the couple's economic struggles. They live in a shabby, $8-a-week furnished flat with worn-out amenities, symbolizing their poverty. Details like a worn red carpet and a mirror that distorts one's reflection emphasize their financial hardship. This setting contrasts with their treasured possessions—Della's hair and Jim's watch—underscoring the depth of their love and sacrifices in the face of economic adversity.

Setting and Historical Context in "The Gift of the Magi"

"The Gift of the Magi," set in early 20th-century New York City, takes place in a modest, well-kept apartment during the Christmas season. This setting highlights the economic struggles of the main characters, Della and Jim, as they selflessly sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy gifts for each other. The time and place are crucial in underscoring themes of love, sacrifice, and the true spirit of Christmas, emphasizing their generosity despite poverty.

Literary Style

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Point of View

In "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry employs a folksy narrator to relay the tale of Jim and Della Young, a financially struggling young couple who purchase meaningful Christmas gifts for each other. Ironically, these gifts nullify each other: Della sells her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy Della a set of elegant combs. Although the gifts end up being impractical, Jim and Della have bestowed upon each other the most significant gift of all—selfless love, which the narrator likens to the gifts given to the Christ child by the wise men, or magi.

O. Henry uses several literary devices in "The Gift of the Magi" that are characteristic of his short stories. One prominent technique is the presence of a narrator with a distinct personality. Although the story is primarily seen through Della's perspective, it is narrated in a voice that directly addresses the reader as "you." This narrative approach makes the narrator feel like an unseen character, engaging the reader as a friend and providing insights into the Youngs' circumstances. The narrator delivers the story in a humorous, neighborly manner, with witty asides directed at the reader. He uses informal expressions like "took a mighty pride" and interjects with amusing phrases such as "forget the hashed metaphor." Charles Dickens is another author known for utilizing this method, often referred to as authorial intrusion.

Setting

Although "The Gift of the Magi" is a well-known story, O. Henry is primarily recognized for the type of stories he wrote, rather than individual works. His stories follow certain patterns in terms of character, plot, structure, and setting. The settings in O. Henry's stories are typically categorized into five groups: the American South, the West, Central America, prison, and New York.

"The Gift of the Magi" is set in New York. Despite nearly half of his stories being set in this city, O. Henry meticulously crafts the specific settings of each tale. In "The Gift of the Magi," he uses details to emphasize Jim and Della's poverty. Right from the beginning, he describes "the shabby little couch," the dreary view ("she ... looked out dully at a grey cat walking a grey fence in a grey backyard"), "the letterbox into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring." These detailed descriptions of the setting and mood help the reader grasp the magnitude of the sacrifices Jim and Della make when they sell their most treasured possessions. The realistic depiction of the place also adds a layer of believability to the story, even though it can be interpreted as an allegory on another level.

Structure

"The Gift of the Magi" serves as an excellent example of the storytelling structure that made O. Henry famous. One of the most notable aspects of his writing is the surprise ending. In fact, many critics refer to the sudden, unexpected twist at the conclusion of a story as "the O. Henry twist."

O. Henry was known for his economical writing style. In this story, he often starts by introducing a character and providing detailed descriptions of the setting that hint at the plot. The first paragraph, composed mainly of short phrases and sentence fragments, introduces Della and her financial dilemma. With minimal space, O. Henry effectively conveys her character, her predicament, and her environment. He outlines her decision and its consequences in a tightly woven plot, swiftly moving from introduction to action and culminating in the surprise ending.

Allusion

Another significant element of "The Gift of the Magi" is allusion, which involves references to well-known people, places, events, or artistic works. When the narrator describes Della's hair and Jim's watch, he alludes to the Bible: "Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out of the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy."

O. Henry's use of allusion achieves three purposes. First, it adds humor. Imagining the Queen of Sheba living in the apartment across from Della and Jim Young, and King Solomon as a janitor, creates amusing images designed not just to make readers laugh but also to suggest that Della and Jim do not take their circumstances too seriously. Second, by comparing Della's hair and Jim's watch to royal treasures, O. Henry emphasizes how special these items are to the couple. Lastly, this lighthearted biblical allusion sets the stage for the more serious allusion at the end of the story, where Della and Jim are compared to the Magi.

Expert Q&A

What are the allusions in "The Gift of the Magi"?

"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry contains several allusions, the most significant of which is the Biblical allusion to the Magi, the wise men who gave gifts to the newborn Christ. This allusion is evident in the title and throughout the story, as it revolves around the theme of gift-giving. Other Biblical allusions include King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, used to represent immense wealth, contrasting with the humble circumstances of the story's protagonists, Jim and Della.

What is the tone of "The Gift of the Magi"?

The tone of "The Gift of the Magi" is sentimental. O. Henry uses warm and pleasant language to show fondness for the characters, emphasizing their deep love and unselfish sacrifices. Despite their financial struggles, the tone remains positive and affectionate, reflecting the narrator's desire for readers to share in the sentiment that Della and Jim are truly wise and rich in spirit.

O. Henry's narrative style and literary techniques in "The Gift of the Magi"

O. Henry's narrative style in "The Gift of the Magi" is marked by a warm, conversational tone and a focus on irony. He employs literary techniques such as situational irony, where the characters' actions have an opposite effect than intended, and a twist ending that emphasizes the themes of love and sacrifice. His use of detailed descriptions and relatable characters enhances the emotional impact of the story.

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