The Gift of the Magi Video Summary

Summary

In O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi,' a tale of sacrificial love unfolds on Christmas Eve. Della, with only $1.87, sells her treasured hair to buy a platinum chain for Jim's heirloom watch. In an ironic twist, Jim sells the watch to buy Della jeweled combs for her hair. Their gifts, now purposeless, symbolize the true richness of their love, making them the wisest of gift-givers.

Takeaways

• 📖 'The Gift of the Magi' is a classic short story written by O. Henry, a pen name for William Sydney Porter, published in 1905.
• 🎄 The story unfolds on Christmas Eve, focusing on a couple's selfless love and the sacrifices they make for each other.
• 💏 The main characters are a husband named Jim and his wife Della, who are financially struggling but deeply in love.
• 💰 Della has saved only $1.87, which is insufficient for the gift she wants to give Jim, reflecting their economic hardship.
• 😢 Della is initially distraught because she cannot afford an expensive gift, showcasing her love and desire to please her husband.
• 💇 Della decides to sell her long, treasured hair to buy a gift for Jim, a decision that symbolizes her love and sacrifice.
• 💎 She purchases a platinum chain for Jim's watch, which is a significant and thoughtful present, despite her limited budget.
• 🎁 Jim surprises Della with a gift of jeweled combs for her hair, unaware that she has sold her hair to buy his gift.
• 😔 The irony of their sacrifices is revealed when they exchange gifts; both have given up their most prized possessions for the other.
• 🥺 Despite the initial shock, the couple embraces the situation, recognizing the depth of their love and the true value of their gifts.
• 📜 The story concludes with a comparison to the biblical Magi, highlighting Della and Jim as the wisest of gift-givers according to the narrator.

Q & A

Who is the author of 'The Gift of the Magi'?

O. Henry, the pen name of William Sydney Porter.

What is the setting of the story 'The Gift of the Magi'?

The story is set on Christmas Eve.

What are the names of the main characters in the story?

The main characters are Della and Jim.

What is the economic situation of Jim and Della?

Jim and Della are financially struggling; Jim earns a meager salary of 20 dollars per week.

What is the significant possession that Della decides to sell to buy a Christmas gift for Jim?

Della decides to sell her long, beautiful hair.

How much money does Della receive for selling her hair?

Della receives twenty dollars for her hair.

What gift does Della buy for Jim with the money she got from selling her hair?

Della buys a platinum chain to replace the worn leather strap on Jim's watch.

What gift does Jim give Della for Christmas, and how did he afford it?

Jim gives Della a pair of jeweled tortoise shell combs, which he bought by selling his gold watch.

How do Della and Jim react when they discover each other's sacrifices?

They are initially shocked but then embrace the irony of their sacrifices, deciding to put away their gifts and have dinner together.

What is the irony in the story 'The Gift of the Magi'?

The irony lies in the fact that Della sells her hair to buy a watch chain for Jim, while Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della's hair.

How does the narrator of the story compare Della and Jim to the biblical Magi?

The narrator compares Della and Jim to the biblical Magi by stating that they are the most wise of all gift-givers.