The Gift of the Magi by O Henry - B1 - Learn English Through Short Stories

Summary

In 'The Gift of the Magi,' a heartwarming tale set on Christmas Eve, Della and Jim Young struggle financially but cherish their love for each other. Della, with only $1.87, sells her prized long hair to buy a chain for Jim's heirloom gold watch. Unbeknownst to her, Jim sells the watch to purchase a set of combs for her hair. Their sacrifices reveal the true spirit of Christmas, teaching that love and thoughtful giving are the most precious gifts.

Takeaways

• 🎄 The story is a retelling of 'The Gift of the Magi', a classic tale about the spirit of Christmas and the sacrifices made for love.
• 💰 Della has only $1.87 to buy a Christmas present for her husband, Jim, highlighting their financial struggles.
• 🏠 They live in a modest apartment with a broken doorbell, symbolizing their humble living conditions.
• 👤 Jim's income has significantly decreased, which has a direct impact on their lifestyle and ability to afford gifts.
• 😢 Della cries over her limited resources, showing the emotional toll of their situation.
• 💇 Della decides to sell her beautiful long hair to afford a present for Jim, a significant sacrifice.
• 📿 The two prized possessions of the couple are Jim's gold watch and Della's hair, both of which are deeply personal and valuable.
• 💎 Della purchases a fine chain for Jim's watch with the money she got from selling her hair, believing it to be the perfect gift.
• 😱 Jim is shocked when he sees Della with short hair, as it was a drastic change.
• 🎁 In a twist, Jim has sold his treasured watch to buy Della a set of combs for her long hair, unaware she had sold it.
• 🤗 Despite the misunderstanding, they both express love and acceptance, showing that their love is more valuable than material possessions.
• 🌟 The story concludes with the message that giving selflessly, even when it results in the loss of something precious, is an act of wisdom and true love.

Q & A

What is the main theme of 'The Gift of the Magi'?

The main theme of 'The Gift of the Magi' is the selfless love and sacrifice made by a couple, Della and Jim, for each other, even in the face of poverty.

How much money does Della have to buy a Christmas present for Jim?

Della has one dollar and 87 cents to buy a Christmas present for Jim.

What is the significance of the gold watch to Jim?

The gold watch is significant to Jim because it has been in his family for many generations, belonging to both his father and grandfather.

Why does Della decide to sell her hair?

Della decides to sell her hair to raise enough money to buy a special Christmas present for Jim, as she has very little money.

What does Della buy with the money she gets from selling her hair?

Della buys a fine-looking chain for Jim's gold watch with the money she gets from selling her hair.

How does Della feel about her new short hairstyle?

Della is initially nervous and unsure about her new short hairstyle, fearing Jim's reaction.

What gift does Jim surprise Della with, and why is it ironic?

Jim surprises Della with a set of combs for her long hair, which is ironic because she has just sold her long hair.

What did Jim sell to afford the gift for Della?

Jim sold his precious gold watch to afford the gift for Della.

How does the story describe the couple's living situation?

The story describes the couple's living situation as modest and struggling, with a broken doorbell and a letterbox that no letter would go into.

What is the connection made between Della and Jim's sacrifices and the story of the Magi?

The connection made is that just as the Magi were wise men who gave precious gifts to baby Jesus, Della and Jim, despite being called 'fools', showed wisdom in their sacrifices for love, making them as wise as the Magi.

What lesson does the story impart about the value of gifts?

The story imparts the lesson that the value of gifts lies not in their material worth but in the love and sacrifice behind them.