The gift of the magi character analysis. Character Analysis Of Della In The Gift Of The Magi 2022-10-03

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The Gift of the Magi is a short story written by O. Henry in 1906. It tells the story of a young married couple named Jim and Della, who are struggling financially but deeply in love. Despite their lack of resources, they decide to buy each other Christmas gifts. The story's title refers to the gift-giving tradition of the magi, or wise men, who brought gifts to the baby Jesus in the Christian tradition.

At the beginning of the story, we are introduced to Della and Jim, who live in a small, furnished apartment. They are described as being poor but happy, and they are deeply in love. Della is particularly concerned about buying Jim a Christmas gift, as she wants to show him how much she cares for him. However, she only has $1.87 to spend, which is not enough to buy anything substantial.

Despite her limited resources, Della decides to sell her long, beautiful hair to a wig maker in order to raise the money to buy Jim a chain for his prized possession, a gold watch. She knows how much the watch means to Jim, as it was a gift from his father and represents his family's history. Della is willing to make this sacrifice because she loves Jim and wants to show him how much he means to her.

Meanwhile, Jim is also struggling to find the perfect gift for Della. He ultimately decides to sell his watch in order to buy Della a set of combs for her long, beautiful hair. However, when he arrives home on Christmas Day, he discovers that Della has already sold her hair to buy him the chain for his watch.

The irony of the situation is that both Della and Jim have sacrificed their most prized possessions in order to buy each other gifts, but their gifts are now useless because they have lost the very things that the gifts were meant to enhance. Despite this, they are both happy with the gifts they have received because they understand that the love and thought behind the gifts is what truly matters.

Overall, the characters of Della and Jim in The Gift of the Magi are loving and selfless, willing to sacrifice their most prized possessions in order to show their love for each other. Their actions demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas and the value of love and selflessness over material possessions.

The Gift of the Magi Study Guide

the gift of the magi character analysis

Porter wrote 381 short stories while in New York. Henry Short Story Analysis With Summary, Characters, And Theme 2022. The boy wanted to turn back and help the wounded stranger, but the man had to explain to the boy that they did not have enough of anything to share with him McCarthy 49-52. Then she prepares the dinner. The ironic twist results in both Della and Jim realizing that their sacrifices mean more to them than any gifts they could receive. The author is trying her best to reassure her lover that she loves thee. When Jim returns home, he notices that Della has cut her hair.

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The Gift of the Magi Characters

the gift of the magi character analysis

Because they gave up their most valuable possessions and were left with completely useless items. Jim tells her that in order to arrange enough money to buy the combs, he had to sell his gold watch. However, with this new title comes additional responsibility, such as choosing one of the Wee Free Men to marry, and this is where the test really occurs. Henry Award, which is given out each year to short stories that are well-written. 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. When "The Gift of the Magi" characters realize that they have each sacrificed their most valuable possession for the other, they learn the true meaning of love and generosity. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been prepared for.

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Della Character Analysis in The Gift of the Magi

the gift of the magi character analysis

They're too nice to use just at present. Jim managed money for the gift by selling his watch. Della and Jim had a marriage based off of love and care, which is why they stressed about getting the best gift for each other, because they both think the other deserves so much. Jim stepped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. The married couple Della and Jim eventually do recognize what is truly valuable or important and forget what is not. Henry, whose real name was William Sydney Porter 1862-1910.

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The Gift of the Magi Literary Analysis

the gift of the magi character analysis

Many people go through times in their lives when they make drastic decisions right away, such as leaving home. I just had to do it. Character Analysis: A Long Way Gone 478 Words 2 Pages Imagine your home being burnt before your eyes, your family unjustly slaughtered, witnessing innocent people shot without reason, imagine being behind the trigger. The Madame represents the harsh realities of living in a postindustrial society, where things are often judged based solely on their monetary value. The narrator has a strong voice in this story, commenting freely on Jim and Della, but he is not a flesh and blood character populating the tale. He reassures her that no haircut could make him like her any less, but that he was shocked because of the present he bought for her.

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Characters in The Gift of the Magi by O Henry

the gift of the magi character analysis

You have guys like Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, Stalin, Paul Castellano, John Gotti with many more. Bennet focuses exclusively on marriage possibilities and ignores any faults in her plan. Determined to buy Jim a gift that is worthy of their love, Della decides to sell her beautiful hair. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet. Della James showed how Della James is more than just loving, Della is also extremely and selfish.

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The Gift of the Magi Free Essay Example

the gift of the magi character analysis

As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's. The Gift Of The Magi by O. Madame Sofronie, a minor character in the story, owns the hair shop and pays Della for her hair. Quietness and value--the description applied to both. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she cluttered out of the door and down the stairs to the street.

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The Gift Of The Magi Short Story Analysis With Summary And Theme

the gift of the magi character analysis

She finds a way to get the money she needs all by herself. Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Della says to Jim when she sees her hair "don't you like me just as well, anyhow? She struggles because she wants to get him a gift that is worthy of her feelings toward him. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her. James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you as Della. Jim was never late. Quietness and value—the description applied to both.


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Character Analysis Of Della In The Gift Of The Magi

the gift of the magi character analysis

This allusion from the title of the story links the couple to the Magi in the bible. Della wriggled off the table and went for him. He uses all five senses as well as thought and his actions to express his personality as well as how he reacts and interacts with his surroundings. These gifts tie into this story of the wise men, or the Magi, who brought the gifts to the new-born baby Jesus. Della and Jim are a young married couple who want to give each other special Christmas gifts. With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company. Also, Della and Jim give each other the best of all possible gifts, love Cummings, 2006.

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The Gift of the Magi Summary and Analysis

the gift of the magi character analysis

This demonstrates her profound affection for Jim as well as her selflessness. Discourse analysis of the gift of the magi. The story "the gift of the Magi" shows us how the Magi truly works within Mr. The narrator zooms out of the story to talk about general pronouncements that are out of the story's characters. It is something that has been passed down from generation to generation within his family and most likely has the greatest monetary value out of anything he owns.

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Character Analysis: The Gift Of The Magi

the gift of the magi character analysis

Thus they showed that their love was far more valuable to them than any such things. Which is all very good. At face value, it is easy to understand why Jim values his watch. Due to repetition the impression that the reader gets is of assurance. So now, she has two combs but no hair to use them on, and he has a platinum fob chain for a gold watch he no longer owns. Sofronie likely wanted the hair to produce a very fine wig.

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