Unreasonable Foolishness In O. Henry's The Gift Of Magi

Many people would consider the story of “The Gift of Magi” an act of foolishness but there is more to the tale than unreasonable foolishness. The sacrifices that the main characters; Jim and Della Dillingham Young made for each other were what many people would call the act of true love and generosity. They had no money for Christmas although they did have something of substance to trade; Della had her long, beautiful hair and Jim had his pocket watch. They “sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house” (161). Jim and Della gave all they had for each other; according to O. Henry, they could be considered Magi. The story of “The Gift of the Magi” shows the underlying means to love and to be generous. The Dillingham Young’s

“They invented the art of Christmas presents” (162) the narrator explained in the last paragraph in the story. O. Henry used the story of Magi to help symbols the generosity of the couple. “Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi” (162). Henry was not wrong; the definition to be generous is too “liberal in giving or sharing; unselfish”. In view of the definition, Jim and Della are symbols of being generous. They gave up the only possessions they had of value to make sure the other had something for Christmas. Another symbol O. Henry used was the gifts themselves given by the couple to symbolize their love for each other; Della gave Jim fob for his watch and Jim gave Della the combs for her hair. They sacrificed for love thus the items they gave up and their gifts are symbols of their love to each other. O. Henry used these symbols to assist explaining the theme of the narrative. In order to love in its truest form, there must be

And the next day would be Christmas” (159). This indicates the Dillingham Young’s are not prosperous; nevertheless they are wealthy with love. Demonstrated numerous times throughout the story, “but nobody could ever count my love for you” (161) Della says after her husband she showed her husband her new hair cut. “The Gift of the Magi” shows the love of a husband and wife but there is more to the story than meets the eye. The story in addition analysis sacrifices in love. For many years people have believed the person you truly love is the person you risk everything for. This proposal through the years has become the idealism of love and happiness within a