Topic: The Gift of Magi

Presenter: Harold Solicito

A. About the presenter

The reporter was able to discuss the subject in a way that is informative. I believe they
tried their best to convey the whole story, even in an online setting. His voice was also
good, and it could be heard clearly even without earphones. The materials used were
also useful in determining where we may get the answers. The PowerPoint presentation
is visually appealing, which I believe contributed to a dynamic and exciting discussion.
The discussion continued, and I believe the delivery was decent, and the reporter was
well-informed about his topic.

B. Literary Analysis

I. Introduction
The story “The Gift of the Magi” was written by O. Henry, the pen name of American
writer William Sydney Porter. Since its initial publication in 1905, the story has grown to
be one of O. Henry's most well-known and valued masterpieces. “The Gift of the Magi” is
one of O. Henry's best-known short stories, and it illustrates his masterful use of irony
and surprising endings. This story describes the narrative of a young married couple
who yearn to give each other heartfelt Christmas gifts. Due to financial limitations, the
couple must give up something they value in order to purchase a gift for one another.

The idea of unselfish love and sacrifice is at the heart of “The Gift of the Magi” themes.
The narrative centers on Jim and Della, a young couple who are incredibly in love yet
have financial difficulties. They both give up something important in their attempt to
show one other how much they care, which results in a touching and funny conclusion.

In this analysis, we will look at how O. Henry uses irony and the idea of selfless love to
express a timeless message about the depth of human connections and the real value of
presents. The story's surprising turn offers a profound reflection on the nature of
selflessness and the lasting effects of true love, which transcend worldly goods.

II. Plot Summary

The story is about a young couple named Jim and Della who are deeply in love but are
having financial problems. They both decide that the best way to buy a unique gift for
each other for Christmas is to sell their most valuable things. Jim gives up his valuable
pocket watch to buy Della a platinum fob chain. In exchange, Della gives up her long,
beautiful hair for bands with jewels on them. The story slowly shows the sacrifices they
made and the irony that came from doing the right thing.

These are the key events and the development. First, we meet Jim and Della, a young
couple who are having financial issues. Second, Della's choice to sell her hair to get Jim
a silver key chain for his pocket watch. Next, Jim decided to sell his pocket watch so
that he could buy Della hair combs that had gems on them. By giving our partners gifts
on Christmas Eve, we can remember what they did for us. In general, Jim and Della see
the irony when they hear what the other has done for them. These two people learn at
the end of the story how important their affection for one another and the things they
gave each other really are.
The main source of conflict between Jim and Della is their desire to give meaningful
Christmas gifts to one other despite their financial limits. The determination came from
realizing that they were acting out of kindness and knowing that their love and sacrifices
were worth much more than the things they gave up. At the end of the story, there is a
touching lesson about how deep real love is and how important it is to do kind things for
other people in relationships.

III. Characters
As per the material and from Harold’s report, these are the key characters in the story of
“The Gift of Magi.”

Della Dillingham Young:

It's hard for young wife Della Dillingham to find a gift for her husband Jim for
Christmas. Della, the main character of the story, is kind but impulsive. She is very
proud of her long, beautiful hair and how much she loves her husband.

James Dillingham Young (Jim)

A young man who is trying to take care of his wife Della. Jim loves his wife deeply and is
a kind and gentle person. He is happy to show off a valuable pocket watch that was
passed down through his family.

Madame Sofronie
A person who buys and sells hair. Madame Sofronie is cold and distant when it comes to
her money matters.

C. Character Development:
Jim and Della change a lot as characters throughout the story because of the things
they do and give up. They care about each other so much that they are willing to give up
their most valuable possessions so that the other person can be happy. The fact that
their sacrifices were made public shows how strong their relationship is and how much
they have grown as people.

D. Discuss the motivations and conflicts of key characters:

What drives Jim and Della (Motivation):
Even though they don't have much money, they want to give each other thoughtful gifts
because they love each other.

Della sells her hair for the golden fob chain because she wants Jim to be happy.
Jim wanted to add some accessories to Della's beautiful hair, so he sold his pocket
watch to buy combs with jewels on them.

Conflicts:
Jim and Della can't buy gifts for each other because they don't have enough money,
which is the main source of conflict. They don't realize that the gifts they choose will
make up for the things the other person has given up, which leads to another conflict.
The irony in their actions shows how their sacrifices had effects they didn't expect by
showing a difference between what they thought would happen and what actually did.
IV. Setting
The story takes place in Jim and Della's simple, lower-middle-class apartment. The
couple is having trouble with money, and the simple setting makes that clear. In a world
where material wealth is in short supply, the characters have to deal with money
problems. This can be seen in the social scene. The story takes place around Christmas,
which makes the setting appear happy.

The small apartment setting creates a sad and unsettling mood. The characters'
financial issues are described in a way that makes you feel like they are going through
hard times. The couple's financial position is very different from how things are usually
around this time of year, when people are happy and have plenty of money. This makes
them feel even more selfless and willing to sacrifice. Even though they are going through
hard times, the characters' love and kindness are clear, which adds to the sad mood.

The landscape is a strong metaphor for the couple's money problems. For many people
in that time, the characters' money problems and the state of their room are a metaphor
for the problems that most people were having. The time of the story adds to the
meaning by showing how different the couple's limited resources are from the holiday
season of giving. The scene serves as a metaphor for the bigger ideas of sacrifice and
how real love is more important than material things.

V. Themes
Love and Sacrifice:
The story plays with the idea of giving up something for love. Jim and Della's willingness
to give up their most valuable things shows how much they love and care for each other.

What real value is and materialism:

The story goes into the idea that things are not the best way to judge someone's worth.
While Jim's watch and Della's hair are valuable in a material sense, they are not
important when compared to the love and sacrifices that were made.

One of the main ideas is irony,

especially irony that comes from the situation. Both characters giving up something
important to give a gift to the other, which was a surprise, shows how unpredictable life
and love are.

The themes of sacrifice and love are shown and strengthened by the things the
characters do, like Della selling her hair and Jim selling his watch to buy gifts for each
other. The irony of their sacrifices made their love even stronger and showed how deep it
was. The gifts, like a fob chain for a watch that doesn't exist and combs for hair that is
now too short, showed how materialism and true value work. It is made stronger by the
thought that their love is greater than the gifts' value in money.

Morals or underlying messages:

The story has a great lesson about how important it is to love others and not expect
anything in return. It means that the thought and effort that went into giving a gift are
more important than its actual value. O. Henry wants his readers to rethink their goals
and value the more important, non-material parts of relationships and life.
VI. Narrative Point of View
From a third-person, storytelling point of view, “The Gift of the Magi” tells its story. The
story is told from an outside, all-knowing point of view that casts light on Jim and
Della's thoughts and feelings, but it is mostly about what they think and feel.

A third-person point of view lets the reader know what Jim and Della are really
pondering and experiencing. This close link to the characters helps the reader feel what
they're feeling and understand what they're trying to do. The dramatic irony is increased
by the outside narrator who gives us a glimpse into both characters' minds. Readers
know what each character has given up, but the actors themselves don't know what
each other has done.

There is a lot of trust in “The Gift of the Magi” because the storyteller tells the story
without bias, including the characters' thoughts and feelings. The subjective nature is
added because the storyteller can only talk about things that Jim and Della know and
have experienced. The storyteller doesn't force any ideas or opinions on the readers;
instead, they let them come to their own conclusions based on how the characters act
and what happens. The storyteller is reasonable and wise, so the characters' choices and
the irony that follows can speak for themselves.

VII. Style and Language

A. Examine the author's writing style and language choices:
People like O. Henry's writing because it is clear, simple, and funny. He usually talks
about tough feelings and events in simple terms. The conversations between the
characters, especially those between Jim and Della, are real and show how people talked
at the time. People know O. Henry for his literary comedies, and he uses short sentences
to make his stories more intense and emotional.

B. Discuss the use of literary devices (imagery, symbolism, foreshadowing, etc.)

Irony:
O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" is full of comedy, as all of his work is. Situational irony
is used to great effect when both characters give up valuable things for gifts that don't
mean anything in the end.

Foreshadowing:
There are signs of what's to come in the book, like references to Della's beautiful hair
and Jim's beloved pocket watch. These parts of the story give hints about the
adjustments the main characters will have to make later on.

Allusion:
The title, “The Gift of the Magi,” refers to the biblical wise men who brought gifts to
Jesus when he was new born. This reference emphasizes how selfless the main
characters are and how selfless they are in making sacrifices, which makes the story
even more complicated.

Example: “Had the question of Sheba lived in the flat across the Airshaft?”

“Had King Solomon been the Janitor?”

Metaphors based in the material provided:

 “It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her.”

“The next two hours tripped by on rosy wings...”

Personification:
“...The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of
her bright and ardent spirit...”

C. Explore the tone and mood created by the author's language

Tone: The story's tone is both sad and amusing. O. Henry writes in a way that is both
lovely and moving, especially as the absurdity of the situation hits home.

Mood: When the main characters' efforts are exposed, the mood shifts from struggling
with money to having a greater impact on the characters' emotions. The mood gets
deeper and introspective as readers consider what love truly means and the importance
of doing good for others.
VIII. Symbolism and Allegory
A. Symbols and Allegorical Elements:
Gifts:
Jim and Della's gifts show how much they love each other and what it means to truly
give. The fob chain and combs are first valued for their material worth, but over time,
they come to represent the main characters' deep love for each other and the great
sacrifices they have made for each other.

The Magi:
are the Three Wise Men from the Bible, who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. The name
and title of the Magi come from them. This connection gives the story more depth and
suggests that Jim and Della's actions reflect the Magi's selfless and deep-meaningful
way of thinking.

B. Discuss how these symbols contribute to the deeper meaning of the narrative:
The story's symbols help to reveal its deeper meaning by raising the story above the real
world. People at first thought the gifts were just passing along things, but later they were
seen as symbols of love and kindness. The story makes a point of showing that gifts are
more valuable when given with good intentions than when they are given for money.

The story's theme is timeless and applies to everyone, as the reference to the Magi
suggests. O. Henry ties the story to bigger cultural and moral problems by using a
biblical image of sacrifice and kindness. The characters show a kind heart that doesn't
care about religion or society.

Overall, these symbols give the story more meaning and make people think about how
important love, kindness, and gifts really are. They bring up timeless themes that are
relevant beyond the story's setting and time, and they make readers think about the
story's deeper, more symbolic parts.
IX. Cultural and Historical Context
A. Historical and Cultural Background:
Economic Situation:
The story was written at the beginning of the 20th century, when many people and
families were facing financial difficulties. The characters' financial hardships and the
small apartment location represent the era's economic reality. Readers who are
acquainted with the struggles of the time will find resonance in the concept of sacrifice.

Sentimentality of the Season:

The story takes place during the Christmas season, which is normally marked by giving
and gifts. O. Henry's selection of this happy occasion heightens the effect of the
protagonists' giving ups by contrasting their financial limitations with the custom of
exchanging gifts on holiday occasions.

Social Values:
A number of enduring cultural and moral values are reflected in the emphasis on love,
sacrifice, and the genuine meaning of gifts. Reader interpretation of the story may have
been influenced by early 20th-century cultural expectations on relationships and the
value of material items.

B. Explore any relevant biographical information about the author:

William Sydney Porter wrote under the pen name O. Henry, who lived from 1862 to
1910. He had firsthand knowledge of monetary difficulties, legal issues, and even a jail
sentence due to fraud. The fact that he was able to relate to people like Jim and Della
because of his personal experiences perhaps added to the story's realistic depiction of
financial struggles.

O. Henry's short works were known for their use of situational irony and twist endings.
The long appeal of "The Gift of the Magi" was made possible by his distinctive storytelling
style, which was shaped by both his own experiences and the cultural climate of his day.

X. Interpretation and Analysis

By going deeper than the surface level of gift-giving, O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi"
explores the idea of pure love and uses irony to send a timeless message about how
important relationship are. The story's unexpected plot twist challenges what people
thought they knew about the meaning of presents and gives a heartbreaking look at how
much people are willing to help others and how long real affection lasts.

Love and Sacrifice Without Expectations:

Jim and Della both give up a lot so they can give each other gifts. Jim gives Della his
watch to buy combs for her hair, and Della gives Jim her valuable hair to buy a fob
chain for his watch. Giving things without expecting anything in return shows how
much they love each other.

Quote: “And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish
children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of
their house.”
Using irony to tell a story:
O. Henry does a great job of using situational irony in his work. At the end, Jim and
Della don't find out about what the other did, but the readers know what the characters
gave up. This irony draws attention to the bad results of their good intentions.

Quote: “As you are aware, the magi were extraordinarily wise men who presented
presents to the baby in the manger. They created the custom of presenting Christmas gifts.
Their presents were undoubtedly intelligent ones, perhaps with the option to exchange
them if they happened to duplicate.”

C. Consider alternative interpretations and address counterarguments

Some critics might say that the characters' huge sacrifices are not believable or sensible.
But because the book is allegorical, readers are told to let go of their standards of strict
realism and instead see it as a symbolic look at how love can change things.

In some interpretations, the Christmas season is used to criticize materialism. Even

though materialism is a problem, the book goes further by showing how important the
gifts are on an emotional and symbolic level.

The story isn't based on real events, so even though the sacrifices aren't possible, they
are used as an allegory to teach a general lesson about love. Even though the story
criticizes capitalism, it does more than that. The story becomes a celebration of the
lasting value of meaningful gifts by focusing on how the gifts changed the people who
received them and on the importance of pure love.

XI. Conclusion
“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry is a powerful story about love and pain that teaches
us something that will never go out of style. The story is mostly about Jim and Della, a
couple who are having financial issues. To give each other thoughtful Christmas gifts,
they have to make big sacrifices. We talk about love that doesn't hurt others, how much
gifts are really worth, and how deep ties affect people for a long time. The story's most
important parts are the irony the meaning of the gifts, and the metaphor about the
biblical Magi. This essay/analysis goes into a lot of depth about the historical and
cultural background, the point of view of the story, O. Henry's writing style, and the
characters' reasons for doing what they do.

The story uses symbols and irony to show how important gifts are and how much love
there is. By looking at the story's metaphors, symbolic gifts, and Jim and Della's
unplanned losses, we can better understand the basic ideas of love, sacrifice, and how
important small acts of kindness are. People think about what real links are again after
seeing this interpretation, which shows that the story is about more than just money.

The story of “The Gift of the Magi” is universal because it's about people's experiences,
not only in love but in life. This story makes you think about what love, kindness, and
gifts that aren't money are really about. Its lesson about the need for real contact with
others is timeless and works in all places and times. This story shows us how important
these values are by showing us how powerful love and kindness can be in a world where
greed rules.
This is a great piece of writing and an important piece of history. The focus on general
themes makes the work relevant to all times and makes readers think about how
complicated society is and what it means to be human. The piece is like a reflection of
society and makes you think about the basic things that make people human. "The
Canterbury Tales" is a great piece of literature that goes beyond its ancient roots
because it has timeless lessons, moral challenges, and stories that celebrate what makes
each person special.

Buen, Florie Mae G.

Survey of the English-American Literature
BSED EN 3-1
Polytechnic University of the Philippines