the gift of the magi

plots

"The Gift of the Magi" is a simple yet powerful one. Exposition: Jim and Della want to buy gifts for each other, but neither one has the money to do this. They are a young couple who don't have extra money for gifts. They love each other very much and want to buy a gift for one another.

types of irony

Dramatic irony is when a reader knows more about a situation than a character in a story, making a situation suspenseful or humorous. In the "Gift of the Magi," dramatic irony occurs when Della opens the gift from Jim, a set of tortoise shell combs, and briefly forgets that her hair isn't long enough to wear them.

symbolism

In "The Gift of the Magi" O' Henry uses symbolism in reference to the Three Magi (The 3 Wisemen). They come bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. The gold is a symbol of love, the frankincense and myrrh were used to burn and had a sweet aroma.

simile

So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her, rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters" (Henry 3). [Simile] "Jim stepped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail

theme

The central idea in this story is the love between Delia and James and the sacrifices that they make to please the other

symbols

The gray cat symbolizes loss of hope and sadness. Gold represents eternity and love. The Combs stated Jim's love for Della. Christmas is the whole setting throughout the story it is the holiday of hope and gift giving also the Three Wise Men or The Magi

flashback

a conversation or episode or event that happened before the beginning of the story "as soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's. It was like him." The author, O. Henry in "the gift of the Magi", uses flashback. He shows how the chain reminds Della about Jim

personification

he compares Della's long hair to the Queen of Sheba's "jewels and gifts" and Jim's watch to all King Solomon's treasures.

alliteration

sobs, sniffles, and smiles..."

metaphor

tripped by on rosy wings