Themes: Love
Henry contrasts the warmth that exists between Della and Jim with their bleak surroundings. His prose emphasizes the drabness of the world around them through such images as the “gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard.” Their apartment does not “beggar description,” and both the mail slot and the door buzzer are broken. However, although their home is shabby, Della’s earnest desire to buy Jim a nice Christmas gift suffuses the otherwise bleak scene with warmth and joy, and her elation after sacrificing her hair in order to buy him a platinum watch chain overwhelms any potential misgivings she may have had about selling her prized tresses. Jim’s reassurance that no “haircut,” “shave,” or “shampoo” could make him love “[his] girl any less” cements the triumph of love over material concerns; the young couple’s physical and economic circumstances are subject to the changes wrought by time and fortune, but their love for one another is unassailable.
The couple could have spent the holidays lamenting their circumstances and their inability to afford expensive gifts. Instead, Della has saved up pennies for months in the hopes of making Jim happy with a gift that showcases just how much she loves him. Her earnest effort and simple desire to make Jim happy highlight the ability of love to provide a source of hope and optimism even in dismal circumstances. Della and Jim are young, naive, and at times foolish, but their love for one another sustains them through economic hardship, as it will undoubtedly sustain them through any future turmoil. Though some may view the outcome of the story as tragic, Della and Jim are able to find the humor and joy in the situation. Ultimately, it is not the combs or the platinum watch chain that matter. Rather, Della and Jim’s mutual expressions of selfless affection represent the greatest gift of all: unconditional love.
Expert Q&A
What was Jim's gift to Della and was it suitable?
Jim's gift to Della was a set of combs for her hair, making it a suitable and thoughtful choice given her pride in her hair. This gift, however, becomes ironic as Della had sold her hair to buy a gift for Jim, just as he sold his watch to buy the combs. This mutual sacrifice highlights their deep love and willingness to give up their most cherished possessions for each other's happiness.
What evidence in "The Gift of the Magi" shows how Jim and Della feel toward each other?
Jim and Della's love for each other is demonstrated through their words and actions. Della expresses her immense love by saying it is immeasurable, and Jim assures her that a haircut cannot diminish his love. Their actions further reveal their deep affection; both sacrifice their most prized possessions—Della's hair and Jim's watch—to buy gifts for each other. This selflessness highlights their sacrificial love, as each prioritizes the other's happiness over their own treasures.
What does Della's hair-cutting reveal about her character and relationship with Jim?
In "The Gift of the Magi," Della's action of cutting her hair to buy Jim a gift reveals that she is a resourceful, devoted wife who is extremely generous. Della's sacrifice also reveals that she has a loving relationship with Jim and that their marriage is healthy and strong.
If you were Della, how would you feel about your gift in "The Gift of the Magi"?
If I were Della, I would feel incredibly blessed and delighted by Jim's gift. Despite the combs being temporarily useless due to cutting my hair, the thoughtfulness behind the gift shows Jim's deep love and consideration. This demonstrates the strength of their marriage, built on mutual love and respect, making the gift even more special and humbling.
In "The Gift of the Magi," why does Jim sell his gold watch?
Jim sells his gold watch to buy Della tortoise shell combs for Christmas, prioritizing her happiness over his treasured possession. This act, paralleled by Della selling her hair to buy a chain for Jim's watch, highlights their mutual sacrifice and love, making them "wise" like the Magi. The irony is that both gifts become useless, yet their selflessness underscores the true value of their relationship. Jim likely sold the watch on Christmas Eve.
What message does "The Gift of the Magi" convey about appearance and love?
"The Gift of the Magi" conveys that true love transcends appearances and material possessions. Della sacrifices her hair to buy a gift for Jim, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della's hair. Their actions show that love is about selfless devotion, not physical attributes or material wealth. The story emphasizes that genuine love remains unaltered by changes in appearance, echoing themes from Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 and other literary works.
What is one Biblical allusion in "The Gift of the Magi" and how does it connect Della and Jim to the three wise men?
In "The Gift of the Magi," a Biblical allusion is made to the Magi, or Wise Men, who gave gifts to Jesus. This connects Della and Jim to the Magi as their gifts symbolize deep love and sacrifice rather than material value. Although their gifts are rendered useless, the selfless intent mirrors the Magi's wisdom, showing that true value lies in the love and thought behind giving, not the gifts themselves.
Lessons on Life and Love Learned by Della and Jim in "The Gift of the Magi"
In "The Gift of the Magi," Della and Jim learn that the greatest gift is selfless love. Their willingness to sacrifice their most prized possessions for each other reveals the depth of their love and the true meaning of giving. They realize that material possessions are less important than their devotion to one another.
How does "The Gift of the Magi" depict a love story?
"The Gift of the Magi" depicts a love story by illustrating the selflessness and sacrifice inherent in true love. Jim and Della each sell their most prized possessions to buy a meaningful gift for the other, demonstrating their deep affection and willingness to endure personal loss. When they discover the irony of their actions, they do not become upset but instead embrace the situation, underscoring their enduring love and resilience in the face of adversity.
"The Gift of the Magi" and the Value of True Love Over Materialism
"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry highlights the insignificance of material possessions compared to the value of true love. Della and Jim each sacrifice their most cherished belongings—Della's hair and Jim's watch—to buy gifts for each other, only to find their gifts are now useless. Their actions demonstrate that the depth of their love outweighs their material losses. The story concludes that true love, like that of the Magi, is wise and enduring, transcending material wealth.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
