the gift of magi

“The Gift of the Magi” O. Henry
The following entry presents criticism on O. Henry's short story “The Gift of the Magi” (1906).
INTRODUCTION
“The Gift of the Magi” (1906) remains one of the most recognizable and frequently anthologized
stories in American literature. In its time the tale was extremely popular, both commercially and
critically, and O. Henry was called the “Yankee Maupaussant.” Today the story is considered
juvenilia and has not garnered much serious critical attention. “The Gift of the Magi” initially
appeared in one of O. Henry's best-known collection of stories, The Four Million, which was
published in 1906.
Plot and Major Characters
On Christmas Eve, a young married woman named Della has cut and sold her long, beautiful hair
to earn the rest of the money she needs for her husband's Christmas present: a platinum chain for
his treasured watch. When her husband, Jim, returns to their apartment, he is shocked to see her
hair gone; he has sold his watch to buy her a pair of tortoise-shell combs for her long hair.
Touched by his thoughtfulness, Della assures him that her hair will grow back and she gives him
the watch chain. When he sees the gift, he lovingly tells her that he has sold his cherished watch
to buy her the combs for her hair. The story concludes with an omniscient narrator praising the
sacrifice and love of the young couple.
Major Themes
Critics have noted the irony of the young couple sacrificing their most treasured possessions—Della's hair
and Jim's watch—in order to buy each other gifts related to those same possessions. Poverty is also a
prominent theme, as Della saved her money for months to buy the platinum watch chain, but she still had
to cut and sell her beautiful hair. The descriptions of the environs and the couple's clothing also
underscore the indigence of the characters in the story. As O. Henry was categorized as a realist, “The
Gift of the Magi” has been perceived as an authentic, anecdotal look at lower-class American life near the
turn of the century. The story is also thought to exemplify the author's interest in the elements of surprise
and trick endings, as the impact of the mutual sacrifice is not revealed until the conclusion of the tale.
Critical Reception
Upon its publication in The Four Million, “The Gift of the Magi” caught the attention of the American
public as well as reviewers. It was frequently mentioned as a prime example of O. Henry's work and has
appeared in several anthologies of American short stories. 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 where the plotline for the story originated. Many
commentators consider the story more of an anecdote, devoid of complex characters and themes.
Recently “The Gift of the Magi” has been classified and republished as a story for children. Despite the
lack of considerable critical attention, most literary scholars still consider it one of the best Christmas
stories ever written.
The reader quickly understands that $1.87 is not a lot of money when the narrator says ‘That was
all.’ We get a better understanding of their poverty when we witness Della’s embarrassment. She
must haggle for every household purchase to save sixty cents worth of pennies and she is
ashamed of the necessity and the poverty it indicates. And, just in case the reader is slow, we are
told that such dealings indicate parsimony.
Porter contrasts the poverty of the Youngs to the vast wealth and riches of King Solomon and the
Queen of Sheba. He shares with the readers the two small treasures of the household and
contrasts the value of these treasured objects to the vast storehouses of wealth that Solomon and
the Queen of Sheba have. Yet despite the obvious poverty and meagerness of these treasures,
Porter will soon show us that what Jim and Della have is of more value than any priceless
treasure locked up in a storehouse.
Generosity
Generosity is a major theme in Gift of the Magi. Clearly, any story that focuses on gift-giving as
its major plot-line must deal with the concept of generosity. However, Porter is interested in
something deeper than superficial generosity of giving a gift that comes easily. He is interested in
generosity born out of a love so deep it transcends reason or wisdom. Love, such as we see
between Jim and Della.
Both Jim and Della sell their personal treasure in order to enhance the treasure of the other. Della
sells her hair in order to buy a watch chain for Jim’s only valuable inheritance. Jim sells his
watch in order to enhance Della’s crowning glory. The narrator of the story comments on their
actions by saying “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 of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these
two were the wisest.”

Love
In the paragraph where we are introduced to Jim, the writer gives us an idea of Della’s exuberant
affection for Jim when he says “whenever Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and reached
his flat above he was called "Jim" and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young, already
introduced to you as Della. Which is all very good.”
When the narrator writes “Which is all very good.” He hints that there must be more in a
marriage. And in some small way Jim sums it up when he sees his gift from Della and says
“They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.”
His statement seems a natural commentary on the uselessness of the gifts since their intended
purpose has been ironically removed.
However, Jim’s remark, is also a comment on the value of the gifts. They are too nice not only
because of the money they represent but also because of the sacrificial love they represent. Self-
sacrifice in the name of love is the wisest gift.