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The Gift of the Magi
Original title The Gift of the Magi
Author O. Henry
Genre Short Story
Language English
Characters Della Dillingham Young, her husband Jim, Madame Sofronie
Published 1905
ISBN 978-0-06-242457-7
Book Summary
Essay Examples

Table of Contents

The Gift of the Magi is a short story written by O. Henry about a young married couple and their selfless love for each other. Jim and Della Young are a poor couple who can barely afford their rent, let alone buy each other Christmas presents. However, they are content with what they have and are deeply in love.On Christmas Eve, Della sells her beautiful long hair to a wig maker in order to buy Jim a chain for his prized pocket watch. Jim then sells his watch to a pawnbroker in order to buy Della a set of combs for her hair. When they exchange gifts, they realize that the value of their gifts lies not in the monetary value, but in the love and thoughtfulness that went into them.This story is a classic example of O. Henry’s use of irony and is a touching tale of love and sacrifice.

  • 1The Approach To Greater Good In The Gift Of Magi And The Lottery
    Words • 1172
    Pages • 5

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    Great achievement is usually possible by making sacrifices, although it is not an easy move for most people to make. Sacrifice is the act of giving up a valuable for something else that is regarded as more important or worthy. In The Lottery by Shirley Jackson and The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, both of the writers use different approaches to narrate the action of sacrifice throughout the stories. The authors use imagery, symbolism, and tone to spread…
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  • 2The Necklace And The Gift Of The Magi Comparative Analysis
    Words • 1274
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    The two stories, “The Gift of The Magi” written by O. Henry and “The Necklace” written by Guy de Maupassant are separate pieces of writing, but when one takes the time to read them side by side, they notice several connections between the plot, theme, and the characters of the two stories. However, there are not only similarities one can infer, but also differences that make each story it's own. These two stories compare and contrast as they both have…
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    Paper Type:1200 Word Essay ExamplesCompare And Contrast Essay
  • 3“Moana” and “The Gift Of The Magi” Comparison
    Words • 850
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    “Moana” is a very popular kids movie, while “The Gift Of The Magi” is a less popular short story written by O’Henry. “Moana” and “The Gift Of The Magi” seem very different, but you have to dig deep into the story to find out how they are the same, don’t just skim the top. For example, if you just skim the top you can only see the differences. The differences are that “Moana” has selfish characters, and “The Gift Of…
    ComparisonGifts
    Paper Type:800 Word Essay ExamplesCompare And Contrast Essay
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  • 4Literary Analysis of O. Henry ‘The Gift of the Magi
    Words • 1364
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    The Gift of the Magi (Dec.10,1905) I heard is one of the most popular short stories by O. Henry. In O. Henry’s second collection of short stories, The Gift of the Magi which displays all the major traits O. Henry has given him credit for his great talent. It has been retold in many different forms since then, mostly at Christmas time. The story is about a young poor couple, Jim and Della Dillingham Young, who each sells their most…
    ChristmasGifts
    Paper Type:1300 Word Essay Examples
  • 5Sacrifice Theme in The Gift of the Magi
    Words • 1042
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    Do you ever love someone so much, to the point where you would do anything to make them happy? Then there is that feeling of happiness for you, also, because you know you just made someone's day. In the story, “The Gift of The Magi'' By O. Henry, there are two people that love each other so much, they would do anything for each other. Not only that, but also the next day would be Christmas, and they both did…
    Gifts
    Paper Type:1000 Word Essay Examples
  • 6The Traditions of Love: An Analysis of “The Gift of the Magi”
    Words • 671
    Pages • 3

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    O. Henry's classic short story, "The Gift of the Magi," unfolds the poignant narrative of a young married couple, Jim and Della Dillingham, who, out of profound love, sacrifice their most cherished possessions to express their affection during Christmas. This timeless tale explores the complexities of love, the significance of traditions, and the unexpected outcomes that arise when sacrifices are made for the ones we hold dear. Della's Internal Struggles and Sacrificial Love The central focus of the story revolves…
    Theme In Literature
    Paper Type:700 Word Essay Examples
  • 7Themes and Narration in “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
    Words • 753
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    When examining O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi," it becomes evident that multiple themes are interwoven throughout the narrative. These themes revolve around concepts such as love, giving, and sacrifice, each contributing to the profound emotional impact of the story. According to Clugston (2010), the theme in a story represents the underlying idea, and in this case, the central theme revolves around the notion that the most valuable gifts are those given from the heart, rather than…
    Gifts
    Paper Type:650 Word Essay Examples
  • 8Comparative Analysis: The Necklace and The Gift of the Magi
    Words • 750
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    IntroductionThe protagonists in "The Necklace" and "The Gift of the Magi" differ significantly in their personalities, attitudes, and the choices they make. In Guy De Maupassant's "The Necklace," Mathilde Loisel embodies ungratefulness and a relentless pursuit of wealth, while in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," Della Young is characterized by compassion and selflessness. This essay explores the striking differences between Mathilde and Della, delving into their personalities, socioeconomic statuses, and relationships with their husbands.Personality Contrasts: Mathilde vs. DellaMathilde…
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    Paper Type:Compare And Contrast Essay
  • 9Biblical Allusions and Sacrificial Love in ‘The Gift of the Magi
    Words • 285
    Pages • 2

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    The short story “The Gift of the Magi” uses elements from “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” in chapter 7 called “…Or the Bible.” The short story includes biblical references concerning the main theme of sacrifice and the gifts from the heart. The story also includes references to people from the Christian Bible. Starting off with the title they even use a biblical reference to the “Magi.” “The Bible is full of possible titles,” from how to read literature…
    GiftsReligion
    Paper Type:300 Word Essay Examples
  • 10Irony and Sacrifice in ‘The Gift of the Magi’ and ‘The Necklace'”
    Words • 563
    Pages • 3

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    Introduction 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry and 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant are enduring works of literature that delve into the intricacies of human relationships, sacrifice, and the profound twists of fate. Both short stories are woven with threads of irony and sacrifice, unraveling the complexities of love and the consequences of desire. This essay embarks on an exploration of these themes, analyzing the narratives, and drawing connections between the characters' sacrifices and the ironic outcomes.…
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    Paper Type:450 Word Essay Examples
  • 11“Gift Of The Magi” And “The Necklace”
    Words • 1265
    Pages • 6

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    The two short stories, "The gift of the Magi" written by O. Henry and "The necklace written by Guy de Maupassant are both composed of two young, beautiful women Mathilde and Della. Even though they are in different composed stories that have similar characteristics that convey throughout the story such as, they are both emotionally and financially depressed, have loving husbands, and both want to achieve something in an extreme manner. Throughout much the stories there similarities interact with each…
    Paper Type:1200 Word Essay Examples
  • 12‘The Gift of the Magi’ by O. Henry
    Words • 410
    Pages • 2

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    The theme for 'The Gift of the Magi' is that love is more important than any material item. Della and Jim, the two main characters, demonstrated the theme. This theme also occurs in the 'real world.' The theme in this short story has a deep meaning. One way to interpret the theme is that love will last a lifetime, and material gifts will not. Another interpretation is that people will always remember how much they love someone or how much…
    Gifts
    Paper Type:400 Word Essay Examples
  • 13Trust and Family Connections in “Crossing” by Mark Slouka
    Words • 888
    Pages • 4

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    In Mark Slouka's poignant short story "Crossing," the exploration of trust and family relationships takes center stage. The narrative revolves around a father navigating a tumultuous period in his life, attempting to rebuild a fractured connection with his son through a nature trip fraught with emotional and physical challenges. The story subtly hints at the father's struggles post-divorce, emphasizing his desire to mend the strained relationship with his son. The Fragility of Trust As the father embarks on a journey…
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    Paper Type:1200 Word Essay Examples
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