What Is The Theme Of The Gift Of Magi
What Is The Theme Of The Gift Of Magi - Della and Jim's selfless love underlies every decision they make in the story: for example, Della spends months buying Jim a proper Christmas present. Along with her long saving efforts, she sacrifices her most cherished possession – her hair – to purchase a gift that clearly expresses her love for Jim.
What Is The Theme Of The Gift Of Magi
Later, Jim reassures and validates Della's sacrifice, claiming that her appearance doesn't affect his love for her as much as her haircut. Likewise, Jim sells his prized watch to buy turtle-shell hair combs for Della. Giving up one another's most precious possessions for the sake of one another's happiness embodies a generous, undying love that transcends physical possessions and material possessions.
However, while the story shows love triumphing over tangible things, the narrator recognizes that adversity can still pervade and complicate relationships. When Della worries that Jim will not find her attractive with her new haircut, the narrator admits that Della's love for Jim has "destroyed" or destroyed her: she wanted to lose her hair, and now would make Jim angry (11).
The narrator describes love as a "mammoth task" that risks turmoil and anxiety in addition to generosity, tenderness, and selflessness (11). "Gifts of the Magi" questions how we value external things. Della clearly demonstrates her value system when she buys a necklace for Jim - prioritizing simplicity over opulence.
The Gift Of The Magi And Other Stories Questions And Answers
He admires the chain of "purity" and sensible form, which reminds him of Jim (10). Notably, Della and Jim are proud of two of their possessions: Della's beautiful knee-length hair and Jim's gold watch handed down from his grandfather. The narrator compares Jim's watch to King Solomon's treasures and Della's hair to the Queen of Sheba's jewelry, emphasizing the subjective aspect of valuing tangible objects.
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Since the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon were two of the richest people in the Bible, the material value of Della's hair and Jim's watch could not be compared to Sheba's and Solomon's fine jewelry and other riches. Rather, hair and figure are 'sentimental, symbolic meanings of beauty and family, underlining and validating allusions to the two biblical figures.
In other words, the story suggests that the "value" of things is a personal question, inherently subjective. Also, "Eight dollars a week or a million dollars a year - what's the difference? A mathematician or a genius will give you the wrong answer" (14). Here, the narrator states that value is not inextricably linked to money and that there is little difference between rich and poor. Instead, value is rooted in generosity, thought and sacrifice. Poverty is life.
Enter Della and Jim: Jim earns only $20 a week, and he and Della live in a cheap apartment with a dirty couch, a doorbell, a broken mailbox, and torn carpet. So they can afford the quality. Not only do they have to sacrifice each other's Christmas gifts, but at the beginning of the story, Della has only saved $1.87 after months of frugality.
Study Guide For The Gift Of The Magi And Other Stories
Despite their poor living conditions and lack of possessions, Della and Jim live comfortably and lovingly together. Going back to work, praying for simple everyday things instead of rising socioeconomic status. Indeed, the couple does not lament their lack of wealth, nor does their limited income undermine their deep devotion to each other.
By showing Della and Jim's joy in their financial limitations, it reveals how true progress and meaning come from intangible, internal factors—love and commitment—than tangible factors like material wealth. Della and Jim give up their most prized possessions to buy gifts that express their love for each other.
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However, the other cannot use their gifts for their purpose because of their respective sacrifices: Della cannot use the comb on her short hair, and Jim cannot use the chain for the watch he is now selling. The irony of the situation propagates the futility of Della and Jim's sacrifice: if Della and Jim do not give their treasure, they can use their gifts for their own purposes.
Although the gifts now have no apparent value, they represent the extreme lengths that Della and Jim will willingly endure for each other's happiness. Della and Jim's sacrificial generosity embodies the best form of gift-giving, prompting the narrator to compare the couple to the wise men of the Christian Bible.
Essays For The Gift Of The Magi And Other Stories
The narrator suggests that the value of a gift lies in selfless intent and sacrifice rather than its price or market value. Della and Jim's sacrifice symbolizes the most important gift of all: unconditional love. The Prize and Other Stories Q&A section of The Mage is a great resource for asking questions, getting answers, and discussing the novel.
Why O. Henry chose this parable? "Jim stood inside the door like a setter in the middle of quail." I think this suggests that Jim is shocked to see Della with her hair cut. What story elements did the author use to develop the theme?
O. One of the key elements of Henry's The Gift of the Magi is his use of allusions....references to well-known people, places, events, or works of art. When describing Della's hair and Jim's watch, the narrator says of the Bible: "Many parts of the story give subtle clues about Jim. Identify at least three parts that reveal aspects of Jim's character and highlight their meaning. This is only a short answer space, but I can make a general comment about Jim. Jim is a loving person.
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husband. It's not because he's giving up a priceless possession to give his wife something she loves so much, but because it's .. "The Gift of the Magi" and Other Stories Study Guide by O. Henry Biography, Literature Essay, Quiz Questions, Major Themes, Characters, and Complete Synopsis
The Gift Of The Magi Themes
Also contains analysis. "The Gift of the Magi" and other stories essay stories are academic essays for quotes. These papers are written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of "The Gift of the Magi" and other stories by O. Henry. "The Gift of the Magi"
The main themes are generosity and love. , and wealth Last updated on June 8, 2022 Editorial eNotes Word Count: 985 "The Gifts of the Magi" is a Christmas story that serves as a parable about the nature of love and the true meaning of generosity.
Della's sincere desire to buy Jim a meaningful Christmas present drives the story forward, and Jim's reciprocity of this feeling is shown when he presents Della with a tortoise shell comb. Jim and Della give unselfishly to each other without expecting it. Their only motivation is to make others happy.
This, along with the personal meaning of each gift, conveys the moral of the story that true generosity is selfless and thoughtful. Della runs through every store in town for two hours before finding the perfect gift for Jim. She notes the similarity between a simple but precious watch chain and a discreet but loving husband.
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