Della runs and ransacks stores looking for the gift that she wanted for her husband. Yes, you have entered a beautiful musical adaptation of O. Henry's, The Gift of the Magi, which will thrill and inspire your audiences year after year. First published as “Gifts of the Magi” in the New York Sunday World two weeks before Christmas in 1905, the story re-appeared in 1906 as “The Gift of the Magi,” collected in The Four Million, a volume of O. Henry’s short stories set in … Theme and Moral. Start studying Characterization, Theme, and Irony in "The Gift of the Magi". Theme: In The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry the theme of the parable is that if you love someone, you are willing to sacrifice for them. Love Communication Sacrifice Poverty Love (love) Communication was an important theme In the classroom, students can track the themes in "The Gift of the Magi". Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Being wise, their gifts were doubtless wise ones. Down the street, Jim does likewise; wistfully knowing that the items in the stores that he would love to buy for Della are beyond his means. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order to buy a gift for The story “The Gift of the Magi” which is written by O. Henry follows a young married couple who sacrifice their most prized possessions to buy a Christmas gift for one another. The Gift of the Magi is a classic example of irony in literature. A Quick Synopsis of "The Gift of the Magi" "The Gift of the Magi" is a touching Christmas tale about how far a husband and wife will go for one another, despite their poverty. James sells his prized watch so his wife does not go without a gift as well(354). The main themes in this short story are that people do not need money to express love, and the true meaning of Christmas. This is demonstrated in the short story by Della cutting off her hair to make money to buy Jim a Christmas gift, and Jim selling his watch to buy Della’s gift. "Gift of the Magi" is the story of a poor, young couple whose love for each other is the most important thing in their lives. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. This lesson covers O. Henry's famous short story, ''The Gift of the Magi.'' The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men— who brought gifts to the newborn Christ-child. This theme is illustrated by both main characters – Jim and Della – and it helps the author convey the message that no sacrifice is too big for a heart in love. This is demonstrated in the short story by Della cutting off her hair to make money to buy Jim a Christmas gift, and Jim selling his watch to buy Della’s gift. Theme Statement Della cuts off and sells her hair so her husband does not go without a Christmas gift(351-352). The “Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is a short story that has an interesting theme. To show their true love and devotion to one another, right before Christmas, Della and her husband Jim set out separately to purchase Christmas presents.  Climax: She eventually is able to find a gift and hurries home. Start studying The Gift of the Magi Review. All of the events happened on Christmas Eve and the main lesson of the story was telling you that the more you give, the more you receive. The theme of the story the gift of magi is that they weren't happy with what they had. Theme: In The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry the theme of the parable is that if you love someone, you are willing to sacrifice for them. Themes in O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi" include value, sacrifice and love. give Christmas gifts. The Gift of the Magi is a short story written by William Sydney Porter -- otherwise known as O. Henry. James and Della do not have a lot of The husband sells … September 22, 2017 January 18, 2019 Prolific Essays. The main theme explored by O. Henry in “The Gift of the Magi” is the theme of love and sacrifice.