“The Gift of the Magi”

William Sydney Porter has also known by his pen

name; O. Henry is an American Writer popular for his

outstanding short stories. One of his masterpieces, "The

Gift of the Magi" was published in 1905. The story

becomes a traditional Christmas tale. It tells about a couple

named Jim and Della Dillingham Young who deals with the

challenge of buying Christmas gift for each other while only

having a little amount of money. The story takes place on

Christmas Eve. Della Young has only $1.87 to buy a gift for

her husband. She noticed that the strap of her husband's

watch is now old that is why she thinks of replacing it with

a new one. Della knows how important it is for Jim

because it is bequeathed to him by his father and

grandfather. She has no choice but to cut and sell her

beautiful, lustrous long hair which her husband also adores

so that she can have enough money to buy Jim's gift. Della
then uses the money to buy a platinum pocket watch chain

for Jim. On the other hand, Jim sold the watch to buy the

hair comb Della wants from a store. At the end of the story,

the couple realized how far they went to show each other

their love. Even though the couple are impecunious, they

perceived that they possess a much greater treasure than

money and Christmas presents — their pure love for each

other. Della and Jim's relationship is a great representation

of unconditional love. They sacrificed the things they

treasure and value the most just to see each other happy

during Christmas.

Love and Sacrifice

Because of love, they are willing to let go of the things they

value the most. Della did not hesitate to cut her precious

long hair and sold it to a hairdresser just to have the

money she can use to buy a platinum pocket watch chain

for Jim.  Meanwhile, Jim sold the watch he inherited from

his father and grandfather to buy the comb his wife wants.

At the end, they both realized that their love for each other
is pure because of how far they went just to give each

other a special and memorable gift.  By sacrificing their

treasured possession, it shows that their love for each

other is truly unconditional.

Hope

Despite the couple being in poverty, they did not let it

become a hindrance to be generous and buy an expensive

gift for each other. They are determined to find a way to

have money they can use to buy each other a meaningful

gift.

Honesty

The couple showed honesty to each other because they

both did not hide the truth. Della is not scared to tell to her

husband that she cut and sold her hair just to buy the

platinum chain, similar to Jim. Jim immediately told her that

he also sold his watch to buy the comb.

Being Selfless and Humility

Della endured the pain of losing her beautiful hair. Jim is

not a materialistic person and is willing to give up his most

valuable possession to make his wife happy by gifting her

a set of combs. Della and Jim also show gratitude to each

other. They acknowledge the hardships they both went

through to buy gifts to each other. Della appreciates her

gift from Jim.

The story teaches us that there is a greater gift we can

receive from our loved one than a Christmas present, —

pure and genuine love. The value of love is greater than

the value of any material possessions.

“The magi, as you know, were wise men — wonderfully

wise men — who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger.

They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being

wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing

the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I

have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two

foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for

each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a

last word to the wise today, let it be said that of all who

give gifts, these two were the wisest. Of all who give and

receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are

wisest. They are the magi.”

— William Sydney Porter (“O. Henry”), “The Gift of the

Magi”
Sources:

https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/1-

the_gift_of_the_magi_0.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._Henry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gift_of_the_Magi

https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-gift-of-the-magi-by-o-

henry/

https://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/commentary/the-

gift-of-the-magi-offers-timeless-christmas-wisdom/

article_6dd3673a-e5cb-11e7-a760-4742dcf3cf47.html