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  1. Analysis of O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi

    Although many critics do not view O. Henry's stories as first-rate literature, some of his many hundreds of tales have become classic. "The Gift of the Magi," touching as it does a common human cord, is one of those stories. Not tragic, perhaps sentimental or a little didactic, it combines the themes of married love….

  2. The Gift of the Magi Summary & Analysis

    Analysis. The story begins on Christmas Eve, with Della lamenting the fact that she's only saved $1.87, despite months of pinching pennies at the grocer, butcher, and vegetable man. She flops down on their shabby couch and cries, while the narrator goes on to introduce the young couple, Della and Jim Dillingham Young.

  3. A Summary and Analysis of O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi'

    By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) 'The Gift of the Magi' is a short story by the US short-story writer O. Henry, whose real name was William Sydney Porter (1862-1910). His stories are characterised by their irony, their chatty narrative style, their occasional sentimentality, and by their surprise twist endings. All of these things became…

  4. The Gift of the Magi Essay: Summary & Analysis

    The Gift of the Magi is one of his masterpieces, which has become a traditional Christmas tale. In this story, the author shows genuine love between young spouses, which is more precious than any material possessions. In this essay, the plot will be summarized, the main themes and characters will be discussed, and personal opinions will be given.

  5. The Gift of the Magi

    Setting. Gift of the Magi was written in 1910. We are told that it is Christmas Eve, and can see from the description of the building that Jim and Della live in that it is a poor neighborhood. The major hint as to which city they live in is that Della had worshiped the combs in a Broadway window. Although there are "Broadways" in a number ...

  6. The Gift of the Magi Analysis

    Analysis. PDF Cite Share. Set the day before Christmas, "The Gift of the Magi" explores notions of wealth and generosity in the context of giving and receiving gifts. The title is a reference ...

  7. The Gift of the Magi Study Guide

    Key Facts about The Gift of the Magi. Full Title: The Gift of the Magi. When Written: 1905. Where Written: New York City. When Published: 1905. Literary Period: Realism. Genre: Short story/Parable. Setting: A city, probably around the beginning of the 20th century. Climax: Della opens her present and finds the combs.

  8. The Gift of the Magi, O. Henry

    Yet the story has mostly failed to attract serious critical analysis. There has been some debate as to the source of "The Gift of the Magi," and a recent critic, John A. Rea, has determined ...

  9. The Gift of the Magi Story Analysis

    Analysis: "The Gift of the Magi". Gift giving is at the heart of the story. O. Henry wrote "The Gift of the Magi" as a Christmas story, and the title references the first gifts given in the Christmas tradition. The Magi were three kings who traveled to see Jesus shortly after his birth. The kings brought priceless gifts with them: gold ...

  10. The Gift of the Magi Essays and Criticism

    In "The Gift of the Magi" O. Henry gives to readers a heroine and hero they can understand and thus learn from. At the same time that the reader is learning about the power of selflessness, so too ...

  11. The Gift of Magi Summary & Complete Analysis

    Literary Analysis. The Gift of Magi is a short story written by an American short story writer, William Sydney Porter. He has written his literary works under the pen name of O' Henry. This story was first published in 1905. This story recounts the endless love between the couple, the way they sacrificed their prized possessions for each other.

  12. The Gift of the Magi Literary Analysis

    Literary Analysis of The Gift of the Magi. The popular short story 'The Gift of the Magi' was written by American writer William Sydney Porter who later changed his name to O' Henry after he came out from Prison where he had been incarcerated for embezzlement in 1898 in Columbus, Ohio. The story was first published in December 10th, 1905 ...

  13. Literary Analysis: The Gift of the Magi

    Published: 2nd Sep 2019. O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" is the touching story of a poor, young couple whose love knows no bounds and they're ready to sacrifice their most, and more importantly, their only, valuable possessions to find the perfect Christmas gifts for each other. In their willingness to give up all they have - they ...

  14. "The Gift of Magi" by O. Henry: A Critical Review

    Table of Contents. "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry first appeared in The New York Sunday World newspaper in 1905, later gracing his collection, The Four Million. Set in a modest New York City apartment, the short story illustrates O. Henry's signature themes of love, sacrifice, and the bittersweet irony frequently punctuating ordinary ...

  15. Literary Analysis: The Gift of the Magi

    The timeless classic "The Gift of the Magi" conveys the message that true love is born out of sacrifice and embodies the true Christmas spirit. It also gives a distinctive ironic twist and draws on rich biblical imagery. O. Henry uses irony as a literary tactic in "The Gift of the Magi" to reveal the sad-sweet tale of the Dillinghams.

  16. The Gift of the Magi Critical Overview

    Critical Overview. When O. Henry published ''The Gift of the Magi," his stories were popular with the reading public and critics alike. For the last ten years of his life, and for ten years or so ...

  17. The Paradox of Love: Irony and Surprise in "The Gift of the Magi"

    Essay Example: Within the literary narrative, the deployment of irony and twist endings emerges as potent tools capable of elevating a straightforward tale into a profound exploration of human nature and interpersonal dynamics. O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" epitomizes this phenomenon, demonstrating

  18. The Gift of The Magi: a Reflection of Pure Love and Sacrifice

    O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi" serves as a beautiful portrayal of pure love, non-material values, and devotion. Rehman et al. (2018) describe it as a story that highlights love, compassion, and care amidst extreme poverty.In typical O. Henry fashion, the story is set in a backdrop of gray rooms and cheap furniture, depicting the lives of poor working-class individuals who find ...

  19. Literary Analysis of "The Gift of the Magi"

    Literary Analysis of "The Gift of the Magi". The twists and turns of the plot as it unfolds within O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" are what simply captivate the reader in such a short amount of pages. The story of Jim and Della on a cold Christmas Eve at the turn of 20th century America is centered around what is remarkably relevant ...

  20. The Gift of the Magi Style, Form, and Literary Elements

    In "The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry uses a folksy narrator to tell the story of Jim and Della Young, a poor young couple who buy each other special Christmas gifts, which ironically cancel each ...

  21. Gift of the Magi Literary Analysis Essay Example

    Gift of the Magi Literary Analysis Essay Example. 'Gift of the Magi' is an old tale that has been altered throughout the years. O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) composed this touching story within three hours of his deadline. Under the circumstances of the short amount of time he had to create the story, it is a charming showcase of his ...

  22. The Gift of the Magi Critical Essays

    Next to them, O. Henry's stories' overstatement, predictable plots, and clear moral messages are deemed shallow and nonintellectual. "The Gift of the Magi" has endured as one of O. Henry ...

  23. The Gift Of The Magi: [Essay Example], 551 words GradesFixer

    Published: Nov 26, 2019. The Gift of the Magi is a short story written by O. Henry is a story about a wife and her husband buying Christmas gifts for each other with just a little money that they have. I greatly admire the character, Della. Della is a very devoted housewife and Della has given Jim everything she has.

  24. The Gift of the Magi

    The Gift of the Magi. Della had saved only one dollar and eighty-seven cents with which to buy Jim a Christmas present. Though she has saved for months, the sum is not nearly enough for the chain ...