THE GIFT OF MAGI SUMMARY

"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry is a touching story about love and
sacrifice between a young couple, Jim and Della, who live in poverty
but deeply care for one another. The story is set during Christmas, a
time of giving, but the couple has little money to spend on gifts.
Della has been saving every penny she can, but after much effort, she
has only $1.87—far too little to buy a worthy gift for Jim. She longs to
give him something special to show her love. Looking at herself in the
mirror, Della gets an idea. She decides to sell her most prized
possession—her long, beautiful hair, which falls below her knees. She
goes to a wig maker, who pays her $20 for her hair. With this money,
Della buys a fine platinum chain for Jim’s pocket watch, something
she knows he will cherish.
Jim, meanwhile, is also thinking of how to show his love for Della. He
owns a valuable heirloom: a gold pocket watch passed down from his
father. Though it’s precious to him, he sells it to buy Della a set of
beautiful tortoise-shell combs with jeweled edges for her long hair.
Della had admired these combs in a shop window for months.
On Christmas Eve, the couple eagerly exchange gifts. When Della sees
the combs, she bursts into tears, realizing she has no hair to use
them. Jim is equally surprised when he sees the watch chain,
knowing he no longer has the watch to use it. Despite this irony, they
laugh and console each other, realizing their sacrifices were made
out of pure love.
O. Henry ends by comparing them to the Magi, the wise men who
brought gifts for baby Jesus, calling their sacrifices the wisest gifts of
all. The story reminds readers that true love is shown through
selflessness and thoughtfulness, not the material value of gifts.
THEME OF THE STORY
Della and Jim show their love for each other through acts of
generosity, both big and small. Della works hard to save money for
Jim’s gift, even though bargaining embarrasses her. Her hair is very
important to her, but she willingly cuts and sells it to buy Jim a gift
she feels he deserves. Similarly, Jim sacrifices his comfort by going
without gloves and a new coat during winter. He is proud of his
family’s heirloom pocket watch, but he sells it to buy Della a special
gift. Both of them set aside their pride and give up their most valued
possessions to show their love for each other.
After cutting her hair, Della feels excited to choose Jim’s gift, thrilled
to find the platinum chain, and eager to present it to him. When Jim
realizes that Della’s short hair makes the combs he bought useless,
he doesn’t get upset. Instead, he assures her that her appearance
doesn’t change his love for her. He then laughs at the irony of the
situation and tells her he sold his watch.
Their actions reveal how selfless and deeply connected they are.
They both give up something important to make the other happy,
and neither feels regret. Their willingness to sacrifice highlights their
strong bond and love for one another. This shows that their love is
more valuable than any material gift.
MORAL :
The moral of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry is that the true value of a gift
comes not from its material worth, but from the love, thought, and sacrifice
behind it. The story highlights the idea that selfless acts of giving, where one
sacrifices something valuable for the happiness of a loved one, are the most
meaningful. Even though their gifts become practically useless, the love and
thought they put into those sacrifices make them precious. O. Henry’s story
teaches that love, generosity, and the willingness to make personal sacrifices
are more important than material possessions. In the end, what truly matters is
not the gift itself, but the love and thought behind it.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE
The title "The Gift of the Magi" is significant because it draws a
parallel between the biblical Magi (the wise men who brought gifts to
the baby Jesus) and Jim and Della, the main characters of the story. In
the story, both Jim and Della sacrifice something precious to give
each other meaningful gifts, much like the Magi who offered gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh out of love and devotion.
The Magi’s gifts were valuable not because of their material worth,
but because of the love and thought behind them.
The title "The Gift of the Magi" holds deep significance and reflects
the central theme of the story: the power of selfless love and
sacrifice. In the story, Jim and Della each give up something precious
to buy gifts for each other, demonstrating their deep love and
willingness to make personal sacrifices. The reference to the Magi, or
the wise men who brought gifts to the Christ child, symbolizes the
idea that true gifts come from the heart, not from material wealth.
In the story, Jim and Della’s gifts are ironic because the items they
sacrificed for are now useless due to their sacrifices. However, the
real value of their gifts lies not in their practicality, but in the love and
selflessness behind them. Just as the Magi offered gifts to show their
devotion and reverence, Jim and Della’s acts of sacrifice highlight
their love and dedication to each other.
The title suggests that their gifts, though imperfect or impractical,
hold more meaning because they reflect a deeper understanding of
what it means to love and give. O. Henry uses this comparison to
emphasize that the greatest gifts are those made with genuine care
and selflessness, rather than material value. The story ultimately
conveys that the love between Jim and Della, symbolized by their
sacrifices, is the most valuable gift of all.
NARRATOR’S OPINION
In "The Gift of the Magi", the narrator presents a mostly sympathetic
view of Jim and Della and their actions. The narrator seems to admire
their love, selflessness, and the sacrifices they make for each other.
There’s an underlying tone of gentle irony, as the narrator points out
the unexpected results of their sacrifices—the fact that the gifts
become useless. However, this irony is not meant to mock them but
to highlight the depth of their devotion and the wisdom behind their
choices.
The narrator recognizes the couple’s genuine love and their
willingness to put each other’s happiness above their own desires.
There’s a sense of respect for their selflessness, emphasizing that
their acts of sacrifice are what truly matter. The tone is reflective and
warm, suggesting that their love and the thoughtfulness of their
actions are more significant than the material possessions they give
up.
Overall, the narrator’s opinion of Jim and Della is positive, portraying
them as wise, caring, and deeply in love. The narrator appreciates
their acts of generosity and recognizes that their sacrifices come
from a place of genuine affection, making their story both touching
and meaningful.