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O. Henrys The Gift of the Magi
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- Name
- Peter Ekstrom
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Summary of "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
"The Gift of the Magi" is a heartwarming Christmas tale by O. Henry, known for its powerful message about sacrifice and love. The story centers around a young, impoverished couple, Della and Jim, who, despite financial constraints, strive to buy meaningful Christmas gifts for each other.
Plot Overview
As Christmas approaches, Della finds herself with only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. They live in a modest apartment, barely making ends meet. They cherish two possessions: Jim's gold watch, a family heirloom, and Della's long, beautiful hair.
Desperate for a worthy gift, Della sells her hair for $20 to buy a gold watch chain for Jim's watch. Meanwhile, Jim sells his watch to buy combs for Della's hair.
On Christmas Eve, they realize the sacrifices they made for each other. Jim sees Della's short hair and learns about the watch chain. Della receives the combs, now useless.
Conclusion
The story concludes with a powerful message about love and sacrifice. Della and Jim's gifts become symbols of their willingness to give up their most prized possessions for each other, embodying the