Love and O. Henry
Cau 1: Why does O. Henry call his story “The gift of the Magi”?
“The gift of the Magi” is a famous short story by O. Henry. It may be mistakento be a fairy tale when it is given that name. However, O. Henry calls his story “Thegift of the Magi” because he wants to emphasize the meaning of the gift and showhis love to the characters: Jim and Della.
The meaning of the gift is emphasized in the story. It is the gift from the heartthat is more valuable than anything. O. Henry illustrates the meaning of the giftthrough the love of Della and Jim. With love, they can give their lover anything theyhave. Della is willing to sell her precious hair to buy Jim a platinum chain. Jim iswilling to sell his precious watch to buy Della a tortoiseshell comb. Living in a very poor condition can not prevent Jim and Della from giving their sweetheart aChristmas gift-a gift that they hope it can make their lover happy. A gift is importantand valuable only when it derives from the compassion, from the heart. The gifts inthe story turn out to be useless in the purpose of using, but it is priceless in the purpose of bringing happiness. With this meaning, Jim and Della are not only theMagi for each other, but also the Magi for all the readers. That is one of the reasonswhy the title “The gift of the Magi” is matched.
O. Henry gives all his heart for the characters: Jim and Della. At the end of thestory, his love for the characters is expressed clearly through his words “The Magi,as you know, were wise men…And here I have lamely related to you the chronicleof two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other thegreatest treasures of their house”. O. Henry admires the characters for their bravery,their sacrifice and foolishness in love. With his caring for the characters, O. Henry portrays Jim and Della like the Magi who brings gift and happiness for others.Happiness is the value which people never stop trying to find in their life. It isdepicted in an emotional
“The gift of the Magi” is a famous short story by O. Henry. It may be mistakento be a fairy tale when it is given that name. However, O. Henry calls his story “Thegift of the Magi” because he wants to emphasize the meaning of the gift and showhis love to the characters: Jim and Della.
The meaning of the gift is emphasized in the story. It is the gift from the heartthat is more valuable than anything. O. Henry illustrates the meaning of the giftthrough the love of Della and Jim. With love, they can give their lover anything theyhave. Della is willing to sell her precious hair to buy Jim a platinum chain. Jim iswilling to sell his precious watch to buy Della a tortoiseshell comb. Living in a very poor condition can not prevent Jim and Della from giving their sweetheart aChristmas gift-a gift that they hope it can make their lover happy. A gift is importantand valuable only when it derives from the compassion, from the heart. The gifts inthe story turn out to be useless in the purpose of using, but it is priceless in the purpose of bringing happiness. With this meaning, Jim and Della are not only theMagi for each other, but also the Magi for all the readers. That is one of the reasonswhy the title “The gift of the Magi” is matched.
O. Henry gives all his heart for the characters: Jim and Della. At the end of thestory, his love for the characters is expressed clearly through his words “The Magi,as you know, were wise men…And here I have lamely related to you the chronicleof two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other thegreatest treasures of their house”. O. Henry admires the characters for their bravery,their sacrifice and foolishness in love. With his caring for the characters, O. Henry portrays Jim and Della like the Magi who brings gift and happiness for others.Happiness is the value which people never stop trying to find in their life. It isdepicted in an emotional