The Gift of the Magi By O.
Henry properly reflects how a healthy relationship should be. In the story the poor couple each had to valuable things, Jim’s watch and Della’s hair. Jim’s watch, which had been passed on to him by his father, was what Della perceived to be most valuable to Jim however he had the watch on an old leather strap. When Della found a chain for Jim’s watch she instantly knew it was what she wanted for him because she loved Jim. Della would have sacrificed anything to make sure Jim received a gift on Christmas because she realized he was her most prized possession and she would do what she needed to make sure he knew she appreciated him. However when Jim realized the same thing and sold his watch for what he perce
...ived to be Della’s most prized possession the gift giving process became pointless.
I think it was important for the young couple in the hard times to realize how much they meant to each other, how valuable their relationship was. They gave each other the best gift because they both cared so much about the other person they gave up what was precious to them. I think the combs and the chain as well as the hair and the watch represent the material things that get in the way sometimes. The couple traded them for more material things that they discovered were useless. Material things will come and go but it is the loved ones that matter in all instances.
The Magi were the three wise men who came bearing gifts to baby Jesus on his birthday.
The time period, Christmas, of the story of Della and Jim, also pertains to the Magi title. Overall I feel O. Henry’s point was to show the reader what is important in life.
The story was a message of sorts to encourage the readers to find the real gifts in life because they may not always be the real things.
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