The Gift of the Magi: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Gift of the Magi" is a poignant short story that explores the themes of love and sacrifice through its major characters, Della and Jim, a young couple living in New York City during challenging financial times. Della, deeply in love with her husband, becomes distraught over her inability to afford a meaningful Christmas gift for him due to their modest earnings. Her determination leads her to sacrifice her most prized possession, her long hair, in order to buy a gift for Jim. Jim, in turn, is characterized as a hardworking and serious young man who also treasures their relationship above material wealth. He chooses to sell his cherished family heirloom, a gold watch, to purchase combs for Della's hair, not realizing that their sacrifices for each other result in a bittersweet twist. The story also introduces Madame Sofronie, the shop owner, who plays a crucial role in facilitating Della's sacrifice by purchasing her hair. Together, these characters illustrate the depth of love and the poignant irony of their sacrifices, highlighting the true spirit of giving and the value of love over material possessions.
The Gift of the Magi: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: O. Henry
First published: 1905
Genre: Short fiction
Locale: New York City
Plot: Moral
Time: Early twentieth century
Della, or Mrs. James Dillingham Young, a young housewife in New York City. Deeply in love with her husband, Della is distraught that Christmas Day is imminent and she has but a pittance to spend for a gift for him. Her husband's salary of $20 a week leaves little after living expenses are paid. Although her love for her husband is enough to sustain her even in this abject poverty, not being able to honor her husband with a worthy Christmas gift is simply too much to bear. She is overcome with tears of helplessness, but they pass as inspiration moves her to a creative solution to her dilemma. Della's one prideful possession in the midst of her humble circumstances, her long, lustrous hair, may be the means to secure a present that she can wholeheartedly give her beloved. Her willingness to sacrifice for him bespeaks the depth of her love.
James Dillingham Young, Della's husband. Jim is a thin, serious young man of twenty-two who bears the burden of supporting his wife and himself on only $20 a week. Times had once been better for Jim. In brighter days, he had brought home $30 a week. A drop in their income has not changed the fact of their love for each other. Ever punctual, Jim may be so in part because of the one treasure he possesses, a beautiful gold watch that had belonged to his father and his grandfather before him. Slightly embarrassed by its inglorious fob, an old leather strap, Jim often checks the time furtively. He sacrifices the watch to buy combs for Della's hair as his Christmas gift to her.
Madame Sofronie, the proprietor of the shop that sells “hair goods of all kinds.” A large, impassive woman, she offers Della $20 when Della seeks to sell her hair.