4.1 THE GIFT OF MAGI

UNIT- IV SHORT STORY 

4.1 THE GIFT OF MAGI

BY    O. HENRY

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

The gift of the magi is a well known short story written by O.Henry the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862-1910) was an American Writer. His short stories are known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterisation and clever twist endings. This story is about a young couple who was short of money but desperately wanted to buy Christmas gifts to each other. So they sell their most valuable possession.

 

 

CONTENT:

 

O.Henry’s story ‘the gift of magi’ moves round 2 characters named Jim and Della who are young married couple. The couple had very little money and lived in a modest apartment. They had only two possessions that they consider their treasures. Jim’s gold pocket watch that belonged to his father and grandfather and Della’s long hair that falls almost to her knees.

It was Christmas Eve and Della has left with $1.87 and she was short of money to buy a gift to Jim as a Christmas Present.  She wanted to buy a chain for Jim’s pocket watch but it was of $21.00 so she rushes out and gets her hair cut to sell. Della receives $20.00 for her hair and thus she buy platinum chain for Jim.

 

 

Jim arrives at 7 Pm. And find Della waiting at the door and stares fixedly at her, Della won’t understand the reaction of Jim. She then admits that she sold her hair to buy him present. After a while Jim pulls a package out and hands it to her. Della opens it and cries out in joy by seeing a set of costly decorative hair combs that she’d long admired but are of no use now. Della gives her gift for Jim after discovering the gift Jim flops down on the couch by putting his hands behind his head and tells Della flatly that he sold his watch to buy her combs. Thus, the story ends with a comparison of Jim and Della’s gift to the gift of magi.

 

 

CONCLUSION: 

Jim and Della behaved foolishly and unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasure of their house. Here O.Henry conveys that Jim and Della are far wiser than the magi because their gifts are for their loved ones with the self-sacrifice of their precious treasure.