The Gift of the Magi: Critical Study

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Close Reading O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” really pulls at the heart strings with its central theme. I believe the theme of this great Christmas story is how even though the gifts were not useful, the sacrifices made and the actual giving of the presents, is way more important than what the gifts were. In the end of this story, the narrator explains how “two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest.” (Henry n.page). They are wise because they gave up their precious belongings for the person they loved. The gifts were selfless, beautiful gifts. O. Henry also compares this couple to the most famous gift givers of all, the magi. “The magi, as you know, were wise men–wonderfully wise men–who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents.” (Henry n.page). The magi travelled far and wide to bring the baby Jesus wonderful gifts. They did not think about how hard it would be to get there or how far they would have to travel, the act of giving this gift was way more important. O.Henry wanted there to be a direct connection between the couple in the story and the magi. He actually calls the this couple the magi in the last line of this short story. “O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.” (Henry n.page). O. Henry explores this theme throughout the organization and structure of the story. O.Henry in the first line shows you exactly how poor this couple is and how they do not have money for Christmas gifts. ”One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies.” (Henry n.page). This was not enough money to buy a decent Christmas
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