Literary Elements Used in Gift of the Magi
O. Henry uses a variety of literary devices in The Gift of the Magi to tell a story with depth and meaning. The story’s themes of sacrifice, love, and selflessness are influenced by its setting, use of irony, characters, and comparison to the biblical account of the wise men. O. Henry conveys a potent commentary on the nature of love and the sacrifices people make for those they care about through the use of these literary devices.
Settings
O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi takes place on Christmas Eve in a compact apartment in a big city. The setting of the story is significant because it establishes Jim and Della’s modest upbringing and highlights the importance they place on their relationship. The imagery used in the story’s setting is one of the major literary devices. Because of O. Henry’s use of descriptive language, the tiny apartment where the story takes place comes to life in readers’ minds. For instance, he says the apartment has a “shabby little bedroom,” a “dinky little flat,” and a kitchen with only the most fundamental appliances (Henry, 1906). These descriptions highlight Jim and Della’s dearth of possessions by giving the impression of a straightforward and modest way of life.
Symbolism is another literary device used in the setting. The run-down residence and bare furnishings serve as a metaphor for Jim and Della’s financial struggles (Henry, 1906). The humble surroundings also highlight the value of their relationship and the price they are prepared to pay for it. Even in the face of their financial difficulties, the gifts they exchange serve as a symbol of their love and the importance they place on their relationship. Last but not least, O. Henry uses contrast to forge a strong emotional impact in his descriptions of the settings. The lack of amenities in the apartment is a stark contrast to Jim and Della’s affection for one another. (Henry, 1906). This contrast highlights the story’s main theme and heightens the impact of the ending on the emotions.
Irony
The irony in The Gift of the Magi centers on the sacrifices Jim and Della make to purchase Christmas presents for one another. Ironically, they both sacrifice their most prized possessions to purchase gifts for one another, only to discover that the gifts they purchased are useless because they no longer possess the items they were meant to be used with (Henry, 1906). For instance, Della sold her hair so Jim could get a chain for his watch since Jim had already sold his watch to buy combs for Della’s long, gorgeous hair. (Henry, 1906). They both sacrificed something dear to them to make the other happy, but in the end, the gifts were useless because of the costs they paid. Because the story’s conclusion differs from what the reader or the characters anticipated, this is an example of situational irony. The irony emphasizes the theme of selflessness and sacrifice and demonstrates that the true value of a gift is found in the thought that went into it, not in the gift itself.
Characterization
A crucial literary component of O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” is character development. The story’s main characters, Jim and Della, are well-developed and likable, and the reader can tell a lot about them from their actions and dialogue. For instance, Jim is characterized as a devoted husband who cares for and considers Della. He is also portrayed as a diligent worker who values his career and takes good care of himself. Jim’s willingness to part with his most valuable possession to buy Della a gift shows how much he cares for her. As he recognizes the sacrifices they have made for one another and the fact that their gifts are no longer useful, he demonstrates his practicality and pragmatism. This portrayal emphasizes the depth of Jim’s love for Della and draws attention to the theme of sacrifice in the narrative.
Meanwhile, Della is characterized as a devoted and loving wife who would sacrifice anything for Jim. Because she can sell her hair to raise money for Jim’s gift, she is also portrayed as resourceful and imaginative. Della demonstrates her love for Jim by giving up her most precious possession, her hair, to buy him a gift. She cries when she realizes that her gift is no longer useful, demonstrating that she is also sensitive and impulsive. This portrayal emphasizes the depth of Della’s love for Jim and draws attention to the theme of sacrifice in the narrative.
The use of dialogue plays a significant role in the way Jim and Della are portrayed. The two characters’ conversation reveals their attitudes toward one another and their predicament. Through their conversations, the reader can comprehend their motivations and the intensity of their love for one another. The characters’ relationship feels more genuine and relatable thanks to the intimacy that dialogue between them fosters.
Comparison to Bible Account
There are several parallels and contrasts between The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry and the biblical story of the three wise men. According to the Bible, the Magi, or wise men, came from the east to Bethlehem to bring gifts to the baby Jesus who was born in a manger. While Jim and Della in O. Henry’s story also make sacrifices to give gifts to one another, their reasons and circumstances are different.
The theme of gift-giving is one aspect of the two similar stories. Giving presents is a symbol of love and selflessness in both tales. The wise men gave gifts to Jesus’ honor and to show their worship of him, whereas Jim and Della sacrificed their most prized possessions to show their love for one another. Both tales highlight the value of generosity and selflessness in relationships.
The two accounts, however, also differ in several other ways. While Jim and Della are a young couple in financial difficulty, the wise men in the Bible are powerful and wealthy people. While Jim and Della’s gifts were intended to express their love for one another, the wise men’s gifts were intended to honor and worship Jesus as the Messiah. While Jim and Della’s gifts were sentimental and private, the wise men’s gifts were useful and symbolic.
The religious setting is another difference between the two accounts. The wise men in the Bible story are searching for the Messiah by following a star in a religious setting. In contrast, the setting of O. Henry’s story is secular, where Jim and Della are merely looking for the ideal present for one another. O. Henry’s tale is more widely appealing because it lacks a religious component.
In conclusion, O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi is a superb illustration of storytelling that combines several literary motifs to produce a moving and enduring story. The story’s themes of sacrifice, love, and selflessness are influenced by its setting, use of irony, characters, and comparison to the biblical account of the wise men. O. Henry conveys a potent commentary on the nature of love and the sacrifices people make for those they care about through the use of these literary devices.
Reference
Henry, O. (1906). The gift of the magi. In The Four Million. Doubleday, Page & Company. Web.