In this short narrative. The Gift of Magi. O. Henry focuses chiefly on one most of import subject which is altruistic love. In this authorship. whose rubric is an allusion to the gift of the three wise work forces to Jesus when he was born. the author clearly shows the value of personal fondness and the true significance of giving gifts. In short. the chief thought is that the best gift is that which is most sincere and comes from the underside of the bosom alternatively of an extravagant. munificent ownership that would convey nil to the heat of the human relationship. In this paper. I will concentrate on symbolism which is “something that has a actual individuality. but besides stands for something else—something that is widely understood and has been developed over a long period of clip or by common agreement” ( Clugston. 2010 ) . . and Ironic Tone “creating a disagreement or contradiction between what is expected to go on in a narrative and what really happens” ( Clugston. 2010 ) . In add-on. I will depict how these elements contributes to the overall subject of The Gift of Magi. which is altruistic love.

In the narrative. the gifts that the two loving partners give each other become symbols of the selfless love that they feel for each other. The writer begins the narrative with Della desiring to acquire a Christmas gift for her hubby. which was a Pt watch pocket concatenation to travel with his cherished ticker. but due to their fiscal fortunes she could non afford to purchase him the gift. therefore she decide to cut her hair. which is her most priced ownership. The writer goes on to depict the emotional anguish Della experience as she observe her contemplation between the wharf glass in the window. he states “Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were reflecting brightly. but her face had lost its colour within 20 seconds. Quickly she pulled down her hair and allow it fall to its full length” ( Clugston. 2010 ) .

The idea of releasing her beautiful locks brought great unhappiness. but was a spark in the darkness compared to the deathless love for her hubby. As the narrative continues. she purchases the gift and prepares to show her hubby the gift. Jim arrives at the door and as he enter the house he looks at his married woman with a unusual look on his face. which alarmed Della. The writer states “Jim stopped inside the door. every bit immoveable as a compositor at the aroma of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della. and there was an look in them that she could non read. and it terrified her” ( Clugston. 2010 ) . Della cried out that she cut her hair because she dreaded the idea of non acquiring him something for Christmas. As Della continues pleading with him non to be disappointed. Jim eventually snaps out of his enchantment.

Jim calms down Della craze by guaranting her that a haircut would non separate the love he has for her. and at that minute he tells her to undo the gift he brought place for her. and as she unveils the gift she notices a set of beautiful combs that she had admired long ago in a Broadway window. Della scream with joy. But the long hair that should hold adorned the beautiful combs were gone. The writer continues the narrative as Jim open his gift from Della. as he looks at the cherished watch pocket metal concatenation he smiled because the cherished ticker that he possessed was sold to purchase Della the set of combs. The characters in the narrative sacrifice their most priced ownership to supply each other with a particular gift which was useless. These gifts symbolize the selfless love between Jim and Della.

In the narrative we discuss symbolism. and how it affect the theme/selfless love. In add-on. the dry tone affects the subject of the narrative. The dry tone occurs in a state of affairs of events that leave you to believe that the concluding result would be a look of how gift giving is a look of love. But the sarcasm to the narrative is both characters sacrifice priced ownership to supply each a gift. which is altruistic love.

In decision. The Gift of Magi is a altruistic love narrative that is expressed through symbolism and its dry tone through gifts giving. The narrative explores the human emotion and fondness. and the true significance of gift giving.

Mentions

The Gift of the Magi. ( 2010 ) . Scholastic Scope. 59 ( 7 ) . 7-11. Retrieved from

hypertext transfer protocol: //web. ebscohost. com

Clugston. R. W. ( 2010 ) . Journey into literature. San Diego. California: Bridgepoint Education.

Inc. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //content. ashford. edu/books