Анализ произведения The gift of the magi

«The gift of the Magi» O. Henry

Social and historic background

The Gift of Magi is a short story written by an American short story writer, O’ Henry. This story was first published in 1905.

It is a sentimental tale of a financially upset couple. Both of them sold out their prized possessions in order to buy presents for each other for Christmas. In the end, their gifts become useless.

This story is written in the 19th century highlighting the economic disturbance of those times. It also throws light on the prevailing materialism in society.

The meaning and symbolism of the title

The title is a direct reference to the biblical Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or Three Kings, who brought valuable gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Just as the Magi’s gifts were significant and symbolic, the gifts exchanged by Jim and Della in the story carry deep symbolic value. The title draws a parallel between the selfless acts of the biblical Magi and the sacrifices made by the story’s protagonists. 

Themes

• True love: Della and Jim’s love for each other is the driving force of the story. They are willing to sacrifice their most prized possessions in order to make each other happy.

• Selflessness: Della and Jim’s gifts to each other are not about material possessions, but about showing how much they care. They are willing to put the other person’s needs before their own.

• Generosity: Della and Jim’s gifts are not expensive or extravagant, but they are meaningful and heartfelt. 

• Sacrifice: Della and Jim are willing to give up something important to them in order to make the other person happy. 

• Unconditional love: Della and Jim’s love for each other is not based on appearances or material possessions. They love each other for who they are.

Characters

Della Dillingham: She is the caring, beautiful, and loving wife of Jim Dillingham. She has only prized possession - her beautiful hair with the length from head to knees. Readers may explore most of the story through her perspective. Similarly, she is described as an affectionate and selfless character.

James dillingham: James Young Dillingham (Jim) is a gentleman of age 22 but has a burden of responsibilities of running home and family. He seems content, quiet, and good-natured. Just like his wife he has only prized possession of a gold watch passed down from generations.

Madame sofronie: She is the owner of the hair shop to which Della sells her hair. She is described as a brusque and cold lady.

Author’s position

O’ Henry seems to be rebuking the concept of materialism. He is of the view that strong emotions are attached to those things; Della’s hairs and Jim’s watch. However, they sacrificed it for love.

In this way, he criticizes society’s proclivity towards material gains. He seems to advocate the value of sincerity and love that society lacked.

O’ Henry uses the situation of Christmas to highlight that occasion not just means exchange of gifts. Rather it means unity, sincerity, and love. Even without materials, you can celebrate it if one’s heart is pure.

Stylistic and literary devices

O’ Henry has used incredible imagery at different places to mirror the exact view before the readers. At first, O’ Henry describes the mortification of Della of being a miser. He draws colour imagery to paint the image of Della’s cheek that “one’s cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony”.

Moreover, O’ Henry has tactfully depicted the doleful feelings of Della that readers are fully able to understand it. The narrator says “She stood by the window and looked out dully at a grey cat walking a grey fence in a grey backyard”. This provides glimpses of her sorrows and disappointment as she hasn’t enough money to buy a gift for Jim at Christmas.

Similarly, O’ Henry shows the apartment of a young couple. He uses pun on certain words to contradict the outlook of Della for her house. He describes “It did not exactly beggar description“. However, then he uses the phrase “mendicancy squad” which also means beggar.

In this way, he shows that the apartment is tiny and in the possession of a financially unstable couple but they have managed to keep it well with all they have.

Further, Della’s hair and Jim’s watch worth is described by comparing it with Queen of Sheba and King of Solomon.

IRONY

1) O’ Henry has applied irony when describing the only prized possessions of both characters. Firstly, he compares Della’s hairs with the jewels of Queen of Sheba that even Sheba would be envious of the beauty of her hair. On the other hand, he describes King Solomon despite the wealth that he would be anxious to hold Jim’s watch in his hands.

2) It happens when Della opens up Jim’s present finds a tortoise comb. For a short moment, she forgets that she had cut her hair and now it is useless for her.

ALLUSIONS

The title alludes to three wise men or kings who brought precious gifts for Jesus on his birth.

METAPHORS, PERSONIFICATION, AND SIMILES

One may find the narrator personifying Della’s haggling and desire of saving money with the power of bulldozers. The narrator says “Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer”.

Moreover, the narrator beautifies Della’s hair by metaphorically relating it to waterfall “Down rippled the brown cascade”

Similarly, one can see similes when the narrator describes the hair cut of Della resembling “like a truant schoolboy”. Moreover, with the help of simile narrator depicts her look after the hair cut “like a Coney Island chorus girl”

Conclusions

“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is a heartwarming story about love and sacrifice. The story highlights the depth of love and the true meaning of selflessness. It teaches us that the value of a gift is not in its material worth but in the love and sacrifice behind it.