3. THE AUTHOR
(September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910), also known
by his pseudonym O. Henry, was an American short
story writer. O. Henry's short stories are known for
their wit, wordplay, warm characterization, and
surprise endings.
William Sydney
Porter
Like many other writers, O. Henry's early career
aspirations were unfixed and he wandered across
different activities and professions before he finally
found his calling as a short story writer. From
pharmacy to drafting, journalism and banking.
4. THE AUTHOR
When he found out that his wife, Athol Estes Porter, was
dying back in the states, only then did he return. When
she died, he spent more than three years in prison in
Columbus, Ohio.
During his early twenties, he published a weekly humor
magazine, The Rolling Stone, which failed. Then he took
up a job with the Houston Post newspapers.
However, with a past misdeed and some embezzlement of
funds caught up with him. Which led him to flee over
Honduras to escape the punishment.
He improved his writing skills there and then after his
release from prison, that’s when he became a professional
writer and settled in New York City.
5. BRIEF SUMMARY
The Gift of the Magi is a short story written and published in 1905. It takes place
on Christmas Eve and tells the story of Jim and Della Dillingham—a poor, young
married couple who don't have enough money to buy each other Christmas
gifts. Between the couple, Jim's gold pocket watch that once belonged to his
father and his grandfather, and Della's lustrous, long hair that falls below her
knees are the only two possessions that they consider their treasures.
6. STORY ANALYSIS:
Place: Takes place somewhere in New York City where the
Dillingham Couple lived in a shabby, second-story flat.
Time: Christmas Eve a long time ago
Weather Condition: Cold, it was winter
Social Condition: The Dillingham couple was financially struggling
Mood or Atmosphere: Life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles,
with sniffles predominating.
SETTING
7. STORY ANALYSIS:
Della Dillingham: A loving, devoted woman to her husband. Described in
the story as a young, affectionate, and selfless.
Jim Dillingham: Della’s husband. Described in the story as a twenty-two-
year-old thin man who worked hard so they could have enough money
to pay their flat. However, despite this, he’s described as someone who’s
contented, quiet, and good-natured. Loves Della as much as she loves
him.
Madame Sofronie: The hair shop owner who bought Della’s hair for $20.
She was mentioned as a large, too white, and too chilly or cold despite
being called Madame Sofronie.
CHARACTERS
8. On Christmas Eve, Della only had $1.87 in
savings with which to buy a gift for her
husband, James Dillingham Young.
STORY ANALYSIS:PLOT SUMMARY
She had counted all the money she has
thrice but it was still $1.87
so she did what she did—she sobbed
flopped down on their shabby couch
available inside their flat.
9. STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY
Times are tough. James Dillingham Young, or Jim, is the
breadwinner of the family and was being paid $30 per
week but now shrunk to $20 per week. It was barely
enough to pay for their small flat as they were financially
struggling.
Della spent a lot of time planning for the best present for
her husband. Something fine and rare and sterling—
something just a little bit near to being worthy of the
honor of being owned by Jim.
10. STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY
Suddenly, Della got an idea.
Whirling about the room, she let her
hair fall down to its full length.
She shed a few tears that fell on the
worn out red carpet and faltered for a
few moments after she tied up her hair.
It is one of two prized possessions
between her and Jim, the other being
the gold pocket watch handed down to
him from his father.
11. STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY
A moment later, Della goes down the
street to Madame Sofronie’s shop, where
the sign reads “Hair Goods of All Kinds."
There, Della sold her hair. Madame
Sofronie bought her hair for a cold $20.
12. STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY
After two hours of shopping, she found what
she deemed was the right gift;
A platinum fob chain to replace the old
leather strap attached to Jim’s watch. It is
simple and elegant, and it costed Della $21,
leaving her with 87 cents.
13. STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY
Once Della had returned home,
she used curling irons to give herself a
new hairdo,
readied the coffee, got the pork chops
ready for frying, then prays that Jim will
like her new look.
14. STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY
Jim arrived at 7pm.
When he walked in, he stared at her. His
eyes were fixed upon Della and there was
something in the way he looked at her
that worried Della.
Worried that he is displeased with her
appearance, Della explained to him that
she sold her hair “because I couldn't have
lived through Christmas without giving
you a present."
Jim seemed bewildered. A moment later
after he snapped out of his trance, he
embraced Della in his arms.
15. STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY
Then pulled out a package from his coat and threw
them on top of the table, telling Della to not make any
more mistake such as what she had recently done just
for Jim for he would still love her the same.
However, he explained that Della would understand the
reason why he reacted strangely upon seeing her
earlier after she unwraps her gift.
After opening the present, she cried out with joy, then
bursted into tears. It was a set of expensive, fancy
combs she had long been wanting.
16. STORY ANALYSIS: PLOT SUMMARY
Della gave him his present, holding
out the dull precious metal eagerly.
Jim tumbled down
the couch with a
smile and asked Della
to keep their presents
for a while, explaining
that he had sold his
watch to buy Della
her fancy combs.
17.
18. POINT OF VIEW:
CONFLICT:
EXTERNAL:
Limited Omniscient Third Point of View.
The couple are financially struggling.
Person against Circumstances – The couple struggles
against poverty.
Person against himself/herself – When Delia struggles
about letting go of her only prized possession.
INTERNAL:
STORY ANALYSIS
19. STORY ANALYSIS
CLIMAX:
The climax of the story was when Della opened her gift.
We were able to understand why Jim was momentarily in
shock upon seeing Della’s hair as he bought her set of
combs as a present.
How was Jim able to buy Della expensive combs? Where
did he get money to buy them?
When it was Della’s turn to give him the present—the
watch chain.
SUSPENSE:
IRONY:
The two main characters bought each other gifts that they
cannot use despite those sacrifices.
20. STORY ANALYSIS
THEMES:
Love – One would need as great love as Della has for Jim
(vice versa) to be able to sacrifice such a precious thing.
Although the sacrifices made were all in vain though as
the gifts cannot be used, the two doesn’t think so. They
know now that they would both sacrifice their most prized
possession for each other. In the end, what they gave to
each other was love.
Sacrifice – Throughout the whole story Sacrifice played a
big role in the couple’s life. It started with Della. She sold
her hair even though it is a very precious thing for her and
Jim. The same goes for Jim when he sold his gold watch
just so he could have enough money to buy Della her
present.