The Gift of the Magi
Encyclopedia
"The Gift of the Magi" is a short story
written by O. Henry
(a pen name
for William Sydney Porter), about a young married couple and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving, it has been a popular one for adaptation, especially for presentation during the Christmas
season. The plot and its "twist ending" are well-known, and the ending is generally considered an example of situational irony. It was allegedly written at Pete's Tavern
on Irving Place in New York City
.
, Della decides to buy Jim a chain for his prized pocket watch given to him by his father's father. To raise the funds, she has her long, beautiful hair cut off and sold to make a wig. Meanwhile, Jim decides to sell his watch to buy Della a beautiful set of combs made out of tortoise shell and jewels for her lovely, knee-length brown hair. Each is surprised to find the gift they chose rendered useless, yet each is pleased with the gift that they received, because it represents their love for one another.
The story ends with the narrator comparing the pair's mutually sacrificial gifts of love with those of the Biblical Magi
:
(2004), a Hindi film directed by Rituparno Ghosh
is an adaptation of the story. It has also been adapted to films, The Sacrifice (1909), Love's Surprises Are Futile (1916), The Gift of the Magi (1917), Dary magów (Poland, 1972), The Gift of Love (1978), The Gift of the Magi (1958), Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas (1999), The Gift of the Magi (2004) and the short film for the Irish band The Script in 2010 called For the First Time. Love, another Hindi movie, based some of its scenes on this story.
In the movie Grease
, Danny becomes a Lettered athlete while Sandy becomes one of the "bad" girls, each to fit into the other's lifestyle.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
written by O. Henry
O. Henry
O. Henry was the pen name of the American writer William Sydney Porter . O. Henry's short stories are well known for their wit, wordplay, warm characterization and clever twist endings.-Early life:...
(a pen name
Pen name
A pen name, nom de plume, or literary double, is a pseudonym adopted by an author. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise his or her gender, to distance an author from some or all of his or her works, to protect the author from retribution for his or her...
for William Sydney Porter), about a young married couple and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving, it has been a popular one for adaptation, especially for presentation during the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
season. The plot and its "twist ending" are well-known, and the ending is generally considered an example of situational irony. It was allegedly written at Pete's Tavern
Pete's Tavern
Pete's Tavern, located at 129 East 18th Street on the corner of Irving Place in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, is one of several drinking establishments which each claim to be the oldest continuously operated tavern in the city....
on Irving Place in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Plot
Young married couple Della and James "Jim" Dillingham Young is very much in love with each other but can barely afford their one-room apartment due to Jim's recent pay cut. For ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, Della decides to buy Jim a chain for his prized pocket watch given to him by his father's father. To raise the funds, she has her long, beautiful hair cut off and sold to make a wig. Meanwhile, Jim decides to sell his watch to buy Della a beautiful set of combs made out of tortoise shell and jewels for her lovely, knee-length brown hair. Each is surprised to find the gift they chose rendered useless, yet each is pleased with the gift that they received, because it represents their love for one another.
The story ends with the narrator comparing the pair's mutually sacrificial gifts of love with those of the Biblical Magi
Biblical Magi
The Magi Greek: μάγοι, magoi), also referred to as the Wise Men, Kings, Astrologers, or Kings from the East, were a group of distinguished foreigners who were said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh...
:
Adaptations
RaincoatRaincoat (film)
Raincoat is a 2004 Hindi film directed by Rituparno Ghosh, and starring Ajay Devgan and Aishwarya Rai. It tells the story of two lovers, separated by destiny, who meet again one day. This encounter allows each to realize the truth about the lives they are living...
(2004), a Hindi film directed by Rituparno Ghosh
Rituparno Ghosh
Rituparno Ghosh is a Bengali film director. He has won 8 National Film Awards in India and several awards at international film festivals abroad.- Early life and background :...
is an adaptation of the story. It has also been adapted to films, The Sacrifice (1909), Love's Surprises Are Futile (1916), The Gift of the Magi (1917), Dary magów (Poland, 1972), The Gift of Love (1978), The Gift of the Magi (1958), Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas (1999), The Gift of the Magi (2004) and the short film for the Irish band The Script in 2010 called For the First Time. Love, another Hindi movie, based some of its scenes on this story.
In the movie Grease
Grease
Grease may refer to:* Grease , a type of industrial lubricant* Yellow grease, in rendering, used frying oils, or lower-quality grades of tallow...
, Danny becomes a Lettered athlete while Sandy becomes one of the "bad" girls, each to fit into the other's lifestyle.
External links
- "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
- Audio book with text at Librivox of "The Gift of the Magi"
- "The Gift of the Magi" study guide, teacher resources, themes, quotes