The Gift of the Magi begins at the small and meager flat of James (Jim) and Della Dillingham Young on the day before Christmas. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. It is the brilliant story that shows the true meaning of selfless love that the author tries to let the readers to know from the Christmas gifts. The magi were the three wise men who brought Jesus the very precious and useful gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you. Log in here. Della sells her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch. Yet rather than mocking the couple for their evidently pointless sacrifices, Henry instead implies that their lives are enriched by the selfless love they have for one another.Â. Brief Summary of The gift of the magi. However, in classic O. Henry fashion, the story ends with a twist: Jim has sold his watch in order to buy a set of combs for Della’s beautiful hair. How Does Tuition Reimbursement Benefit the Employer? Jim shrugs, flops down onto the old sofa, puts his hands behind his head and tells Della flatly that he sold his watch to buy her combs. The story ends with a comparison of Jim and Della's gifts to the gifts that the Magi, or three wise men, gave to Baby Jesus in the manger in the biblical story of Christmas. The story was first published in. | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} Jim and Della are thinking about the present moment and the material possessions that give us pleasure. Create your account. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons The Dillingham Youngs have two prized possessions: Della’s beautiful hair and Jim’s gold watch, which he received from his father. And the next day is Christmas. Della quickly ties her hair up again and, after shedding a few tears, leaves the apartment.Â, Della walks to Mme. Not sure what college you want to attend yet? 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Finally, include specific text evidence in your answers whenever possible to enhance the quality of your response and support your ideas. give Christmas gifts. All rights reserved. Della throws herself into his arms and exclaims that she has sold her hair because she “couldn’t have lived through Christmas” without buying him a worthy present. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Both Della and Jim buy each other a gift that ultimately seems financially foolish. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Della Dillingham Young has one dollar and eighty-seven cents with which to buy her beloved husband, Jim, a Christmas gift. The Gift of the Magi Summary. Della Young and her husband, Jim, are universal types rather than highly developed characters. The couple are poor and lives in a … In order to afford the fob chain for her husband's watch, she sells her long, beautiful hair. The Gift of the Magi: Summary, Review, Reflection. Irony is a literary technique in which an expectation of what is supposed to occur differs greatly from the actual outcome. However, rather than taking out his watch as Della requests, Jim instead sits down on the couch and tells Della that they should put away their presents, since they are “too nice to use,” given the couple’s current circumstances. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal When Jim comes home from work, he stares at Della, trying to figure out what's different about her. The story is about a young couple who do not have enough funds to buy each other the best gift. It has since become one of Henry’s best-known and most frequently adapted works. However, with only one dollar and eighty-seven cents, she knows she will be unable to acquire a suitable present. In the Gift of the Magi, what is Della's problem in the story? She remarks that the watch chain suits Jim perfectly, as it is understated but undeniably valuable. One of the major themes in "The Gift of the Magi" relates to the difference between wisdom and foolishness. Wanting to buy Jim a fine gift that accurately conveys her love for him, Della decides to sell her beautiful hair so that she can afford to buy a chain for Jim’s prized heirloom watch. The fact that the characters gave up something important to them is the most meaningful part of the story. Being poor, they can't afford to waste money on things they can't use. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Already a member? What Are the Best Online SAT Prep Courses? And here I have told you the story of two children who were not wise. They do not let their poverty come in the way of giving each other befitting gifts for Christmas. That's all Della Dillingham Young has to buy a present for her beloved husband, Jim. He has written his literary works under the pen name of O’ Henry. She flops down on their shabby couch and cries, while the narrator goes on to introduce the young couple, Della and Jim Dillingham Young. THE GIFT OF THE MAGI Summary By-O.HENRY. “The Gift of the Magi” is a short story by O. Henry. The Gift of Magi is a short story written by an American short story writer, William Sydney Porter. Though Della and Jim’s respective sacrifices have rendered their gifts functionally useless, they maintain their good humor and decide to save the fine gifts for a later time. Jim and Della each buy presents for one another, hoping to make each other happy. In this case, Jim and Della sacrifice their most treasured possessions so that the other can fully enjoy his or her gift. We'll cover the story's plot, analyze some of its major themes, and finish with a brief quiz. She carefully curls and styles her shorn hair but is disappointed with the results, remarking that she looks like a “Coney Island chorus girl.” She begins to worry that Jim will be upset that her hair is gone. “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry presents the story of a modest couple, James Dillingham Young and his wife, Della. no. Rushing home, Della pulls down her beautiful hair and stands in front of the mirror, admiring it and thinking. Requesting only that the Madame make the process “quick,” Della agrees to sell her hair. MAIN CHARACTERS. How It All Goes Down The story opens with $1.87. Both Jim and Della behave impulsively, sacrificing their greatest treasures without thinking about the consequences and focusing instead on making one another happy. Jim, coming out of his trance, pulls Della into an embrace and reassures her that he loves her no matter what. Analysis. Most of the action is in the cheap apartment of Della and her husband Jim. Without this act of love and selflessness, the story wouldn't have had the impact that it does. The major theme of the story is the difference between wisdom and foolishness, and the meaningful giving of gifts as an act of love rather than a merely practical gesture. Colleges with a Psychiatry Major: How to Choose. Summary “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry presents the story of a modest couple, James Dillingham Young and his wife, Della. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. The story started with Della Dillingham Young who has a savings of $1.87 and wants to buy a gift for her husband who is James Dillingham Young also knowed as Jim. Their most valued possessions are Jim’s gold watch – which once belonged to his father and grandfather – and Della’s beautiful long hair. It takes place on Christmas Eve and tells the story of Jim and Della Dillingham—a poor, young married couple who don't have enough money to buy each other Christmas gifts. Set in New York City, “The Gift of the Magi” details young, impoverished Della Dillingham Young’s quest to buy the perfect Christmas gift for her husband, Jim. What role does self-sacrifice play in '~'The Gift of the Magi'~'? Plot Summary The Gift of the Magi is a well-known short story by American short story writer O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter. Neither expects the other to have made that sacrifice. The Gift of the Magi Summary. "A Gift of the Magi" has become a Christmas classic because it shows how the gift of love is more important than any material gift a person can give. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree, The Romance of a Busy Broker: Summary & Analysis, Two Friends by Guy de Maupassant: Summary & Analysis, A Service of Love by O. Henry: Summary & Analysis, The Model Millionaire by Oscar Wilde: Summary & Analysis, The Soldier by Rupert Brooke: Summary & Analysis, The Lady, or the Tiger? Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Services. | 1 Consider how the story would change if Jim and Della were wealthy. The couple has very little money and lives in a modest apartment. 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Della’s dismay leads her to throw herself upon her “shabby” couch in her cheap and worn-down apartment. Some of the questions have multiple components, so make sure to answer all parts of each question. She wants to buy Jim a chain for his pocket watch, but they're all out of her price range. What is the tone of The Gift of the Magi? Upon finishing this lesson on The Gift of the Magi, you could: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. In the video, the summary of The Gifts (a short story written by O. Henry) has been briefly discussed. "The Gift of the Magi" is a 1905 short story by O. Henry about Jim and Della, an impoverished young couple who make sacrifices in order to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts.Â, Last Updated on August 13, 2020, by eNotes Editorial. However, in classic O. Henry fashion, the story ends with a twist: Jim has sold his watch in order to buy a set of combs for Della’s beautiful hair. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for She had been hoping to save enough to buy her husband Jim a worthy Christmas present. And the next day is Christmas. As The Gift of the Magi unfolds, both sell their most prized possession to pay for a gift for the other. Della is a very devoted housewife and Della has given Jim everything she has. The moral of the story, then, is that the meaning behind gift giving isn't the material gift itself, but the act of love and thoughtfulness that motivates the gift. 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. It's Christmas Eve, and Della finds herself running out of time to buy Jim a Christmas present. Jim and Della, on the other hand, despite their apparent foolishness, are wise in another sense; that is, in their ability to appreciate the sentimental meaning behind gift-giving that goes deeper than a gift's material worth. For this activity, respond thoughtfully to the following discussion questions about O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." in 1905, and it was later included in Henry’s 1906 short story collection, . 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 prove to be the wisest of all gift-givers – as wise as the Magi. Eager to give Jim his gift, Della rises from her seat and presents the watch chain to Jim. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers. Each one wants to buy his partner a gift but the funds left in their pockets are not enough. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. flashcard set, {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | She’s been saving for months just to buy him a gift. The Gift of the Magi by O’ Henri is a great story in itself; slightly painful and yet engaging and pleasant. The story ”The gift of the magi” takes place on a single day, Christmas Eve, and illustrates the love that a young couple has for one another. This lesson covers O. Henry's famous short story, ''The Gift of the Magi.'' The Gift of the Magi is a well-known short story by American short story writer O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter. Desperate to find him the perfect gift, out she goes into the cold December day, looking in shop windows for something she can afford. Della receives $20.00 for selling her hair, just enough to buy the platinum chain she saw in a shop window for $21.00. An error occurred trying to load this video. BACKGROUND. 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. O. Henry makes a somewhat humorous though a meaningful comparison between the Magi in the Bible and Jim and Della at the end of the story: Get access risk-free for 30 days, What does '~'The Gift of the Magi'~' say about gift giving? Jim sells his watch to buy Della's combs, expecting her to be able to use them. Della nervously confirms that she has indeed sold her hair, but she reassures Jim that she is still the same person even though her hair is gone. The Gift Of the Magi by O’Henry: Summary, Reflection and Review. Study.com has thousands of articles about every Visit the 9th Grade English: Help and Review page to learn more. courses that prepare you to earn Which sacrifice is greater? The story tells of a young husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. This story recounts the endless love between the couple, the … The story was first published in The New York Sunday World in 1905, and it was later included in Henry’s 1906 short story collection, The Four Million. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. What is the climax of 'The Gift of the Magi'? But in a last word to the wise of these days, let it be said that of all who give gifts, these two were the wisest. credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. After all, she sold her hair so that she could give Jim a nice gift. Her elation turns to hysteria as she realizes that her hair is gone, but she tearfully tells Jim that her hair will grow back quickly.Â. 318 lessons She reflects that she has spent many hours fantasizing about buying Jim a nice gift, one that would show him how pleased she is to be his wife. Jim: Della's husband. Turns out, it was only a dollar and eighty-seven pennies left with her. The Gift of the Magi is a classic example of irony in literature. The Gift Of The Magi ; The Gift of the Magi Short Summary; The Gift of the Magi Short Summary. Jim sells his watch to buy Della a pair of decorative combs for her hair, and Della sells her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch. - Terms, Time Periods and Styles, History of Drama: Dramatic Movements and Time Periods, Elements of Drama: Characters, Plot, Setting & Symbolism, Dramatic Farce: History, Examples and Playwrights, Elements of Melodrama: From Early Theater to the Modern Soap Opera, Futurism, Dada, Surrealism & Expressionism, Analyzing Dramatic Works: Theme, Character Development & Staging, Diary of Anne Frank by Albert Hackett & Frances Goodrich: Summary & Characters, Hedda Gabler: Summary, Characters, Themes & Analysis, The Piano Lesson by August Wilson: Summary, Quotes & Themes, Biological and Biomedical Yet rather than mocking the couple for their evidently pointless sacrifices, Henry instead implies that their lives are enriched by the selfless love they have for one another.Â. Faced with such a situation, Della promptly bursts into tears on the couch, which gives the narrator the opportunity to tell us a bit more about the situation of Jim and Della. This chick named Della is poor and married to Jim. The Gift of the Magi - Detailed Summary & Analysis Summary & Analysis O. Henry This Study Guide consists of approximately 37 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Gift of the Magi. It started off with a girl, Della, counting her money. How do these sacrifices compare to each other? It has since become one of Henry’s best-known and most frequently adapted works. Between them, they have only two possessions that they consider their treasures: Jim's gold pocket watch that belonged to his father and his grandfather, and Della's lustrous, long hair that falls almost to her knees. She pulls her hair down and lets the long tresses settle around her. What are some of the other prevalent themes, and what evidence from the story supports your ideas? credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level. The Gift of the Magi Summary. How to Set Up a Class and Invite Students in Your Study.com Virtual Classroom. Irony is a literary technique in which an expectation of what is supposed to occur differs greatly from the actual outcome. In "The Gift of the Magi," Della is determined to give her husband a Christmas gift. If they were wealthy, they wouldn't have needed to sell their most prized possessions to be able to afford to buy each other a Christmas gift.