"The Gift of the Magi" is a short story, written by O. Henry (pen name for William Sydney Porter), about a young husband and wife and how they face the challenge of buying the secret Christmas Gift for each other with little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson on gift giving, it has been popular for adaptation, especially for presentations at Christmas time. The storyline and ending twist are already known, and the ending is generally regarded as an example of comic irony. It was allegedly written at Pete's Tavern at Irving Place in New York City.
The story was originally published on The New York Sunday World under the title "Gift of the Magi" on December 10, 1905. It was first published in book form at O. Henry Anthology The Four Million in April 1906.
Video The Gift of the Magi
Summary
Mr. James Dillingham Young ("Jim") and his wife, Della, are couples living in modest apartments.
On Christmas Eve, with just $ 1.87 in hand, and desperate to find a present for Jim, Della sold her hair for $ 20 to a nearby hairdresser named Madame Sofronie, and finally found a platinum fob chain watch for Jim's watch for $ 21 and he is satisfied with the perfect gift he gets for Jim.
At 7 o'clock, Della sat at a table by the door, waiting for Jim to come home. Unusually, Jim comes in and stops immediately when he sees Della, who previously prayed that he was still pretty for Jim. Della later admitted that Jim sold her hair to buy her presents. Jim gives Della his gift - various comb, useless now because his hair is so short. Della then shows Jim the chains he bought, which Jim says he sold his watch to earn money to buy his decorative comb. Although Jim and Della now live with gifts that no one can use, they realize how far they are willing to show their love for each other, and how precious their love is.
The story ends with a narrator comparing the sacrifice of love with those of the Bible Magi.
Maps The Gift of the Magi
Adaptations
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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