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Essay / The Gift of the Magi: A Reflection of Pure Love and Sacrifice
O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi" is a magnificent portrait of pure love, non-material values and devotion. Rehman et al. (2018) describe it as a story that highlights love, compassion and care in a context of extreme poverty. In typical O fashion. Henry, the story is set against a backdrop of gray rooms and cheap furniture, depicting the lives of poor, working-class individuals who find warmth and kindness in their circumstances. The central message of the story revolves around the idea that love is the greatest gift, eclipsing the importance of material goods. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay The story follows the lives of Jim and Della, a young couple living in a rented apartment, struggling to make ends meet. They own few valuables, with Jim owning a gold watch passed down from his father and Della possessing long, beautiful hair. The plot takes place on Christmas Eve as they both struggle to find the perfect gifts for each other. Della, with only $1.78 in savings, wants to give Jim a much more expensive gift than she can afford. In a courageous act of selflessness, she cuts her hair and sells it to buy a chain for Jim's watch. On the other hand, Jim sells his watch to buy a set of exquisite combs for Della's hair. When they exchange their gifts, they realize the irony of their act, since they have given up their most precious possessions for gifts that have become useless. However, their love and sacrifices for each other bring them immense happiness. Henry refers to Jim and Della as “the wise men,” drawing a parallel with the story of the wise men who brought gifts to Jesus after his birth (O. Henry, 2019, p. 15). Although the gifts of mages are more valuable, their true value lies in the respect they command. Likewise, Jim and Della's gifts were valued not by their price, but by the love and sacrifice they contained. “The Gift of the Magi” teaches us that those who give are happier than those who receive, echoing a popular belief. O. Henry often explores the theme of love in his works, emphasizing non-material values despite his own experiences of poverty. Throughout the story, the author raises the issue of moral attitude, suggesting that possessions have no meaning in the absence of love. The love shared between Della and Jim illustrates pure and generous love, ready to sacrifice everything. O. Henry concludes that those who give and receive gifts with love are the wisest of all (p. 15). The author himself demonstrated such acts of sacrifice out of love, working hard to raise money to buy expensive Christmas and birthday gifts for his daughter during his imprisonment, making her believe that he was in a distant country. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. .Get a personalized article now from our expert writers.Get a personalized essayIn conclusion, “The Gift of the Magi” demonstrates that love is the essential value that helps individuals overcome difficulties. History shows that gifts are valuable not in their ease of acquisition, but in the sacrifices made to obtain them. Even in the presence of cheap interiors, love prevails as the driving force that really matters. The themes of generosity, dedication and the desire to give everything flow from the central theme of love, summed up in the proverb "Love is the greatest gift." » O. Henri. The four million: the gift of.. 264-269.