i want to know what was the plot in the story "the gift of magi"??
2007-01-31 18:02:35 · 7 answers · asked by re_rose87 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
The Gift of The Magi is a short story by O.Henry. I believe it could be considered his most famous short story.
The Gift of The Magi in many ways is the definition of irony, but also shows the sacrifices that people are willing to make for those they love.
Della and Jim are a young poor couple who own two prized possessions- Della's long, beautiful hair and Jim's fancy gold watch that used to belong to his father. It is Christmas time and Della does not have enough money to buy Jim a present, so she cuts and sells her hair, and then uses the money to buy Jim a nice watch chain. Jim comes home and is stunned to see Della's short hair, for his gift to her was a set of fancy combs she could use in her hair. She tries to reassure him that her hair will grow, and then gives him her gift. Once again, Jim acts a little surprised, because he tells her that he sold the watch to buy
her the combs, so they should just forget about the presents altogether.
O.Henry ends the story by saying that the Magi who gave baby Jesus were wise in inventing the art of gift-giving, but says that Jim and Della are wiser because of the great sacrifices that they made because of their love for each other.
Obviously, the irony comes from the fact that because each of two characters sold their prized possession, it made the gift that they received useless, for the gifts were accessories for these treasures. The combs are useless to Della without her long hair, just like a watch chain is useless to Jim because he no longer owns a watch.
The choices for the main idea or theme of the story are endless. Some of them are love is more important than any material good, one must sacrifice one’s most prized possessions for love, we all do our best to try to please one another, or the classic biblical tie in of sacrifice with the mention of the Magi.
2007-01-31 20:42:03 · answer #1 · answered by Knitwitter3303 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My old APBT decided to bring a very much unwanted "gift" to me. She brought up to the front porch 6 baby squirrel carcasses one morning. On top of the fact that the squirrels were mutilated the stench was horrendous. You could definitely tell that she was quite proud of herself because she sat right by her "gift" with that adorable bully grin. Thank God my brother was there that day and cleaned the mess up for me. I was so grossed out that I wouldn't let her kiss me for the rest of the day. It still makes me a little queasy typing this lol and its been 6 years.
2016-05-24 01:02:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its what I remember a young couple with not much money are having an anniversary. His prize possesion is a pocket watch and her prize possesio is her beautiful long hair. So as a present for each other(surprise)she cuts her hair and sells it to buy him a nice chain for his pocket watch. He sells his pocket watch to buy her some expensive hair combs. So its a big shock when they open each others present. I hope this is right. We had to read it back in Jr. high.
2007-01-31 18:07:22 · answer #3 · answered by tootsie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Poor, but loving young husband and wife unselfishly giving up his/her most cherished possession to buy one another a much wanted Christmas gift that would enhance his/her most cherished possession. The Gift of the Magi refers to the Three Wise Men who sought the Christ child to bring Him precious gifts at His birth. And most of us know what "cherished possession" Christ unselfishly gave up because of His love for us.
2007-01-31 19:14:18 · answer #4 · answered by pinky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was actually Christmas, not an anniversary. But otherwise the gist of the story was correct...young, poor, married couple. He prized possesion is her hair and his is a watch that was hended down to him. She sells her hair to buy him a chain for his watch while he sells his watch to buy fancy combs to wear in her long hair.
2007-01-31 18:25:47 · answer #5 · answered by Sandie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's about 2 young people (married) She cuts off her beautiful long hair and sells it to buy him a watch fob (chain) and he sells his watch to buy her tortoise shell combs for her hair.
They are very much in love.
2007-01-31 18:08:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes I have read it.
And, no I will not tell you the plot because it is a good read.
Don't ask others to do your homework.
2007-01-31 18:07:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋