Setting: The story takes place in New York during Christmas holiday season. The couple lives in a tiny but well kept apartment. The reader is able to infer the weather is cool, as it is often like so at that time of the year. It allows the reader to appreciate the tremendous generosity of Dalla and Jim, who selflessly give each other happiness.
Theme: The main theme depicts Della Young and Jim Young’s deep love for one another. Throughout the story, they show how much they value their relationship with each other, as they put material things in the second plane because of each other.
Voice: Third-person limited point of view. The author is the one telling us about the characters and the events of the plot, but we really only know what's going on with the character Della Dillingham.
Mood: The mood of this story is very touching because you realize how much these two people can love each other. Per se, it warms you to see how they would do anything to make the other one happy.
Tone: Through a third-person narrative, Henry adopts a sentimental, gloomy tone in this story. He shows his clear fondness for the characters, and he wishes the reader to sympathize with the sentiment as well.
Man v.s. man: Della struggles to purchase her husband the desired Christmas present. Sadly, $1.87 is not nearly enough to do so.
Man v.s. society: Jim and Della have fallen on financially difficult times. Jim's salary has been cut and they are having a hard time managing. Both characters wish to buy each other Christmas gifts.
Climax: After Della impulsively cuts her hair in order to buy her husband à better Christmas gift, she is worried that he will no longer have any affection towards her. However, to prove how much he actually loves her, he gave her a stunning set of expensive combs and explained he had sold his treasured pocket watch to acquire this gift for her.
Resolution: The resolution to “The Gift of the Magi” arrives when Jim tells her wife they should put their Christmas gifts away and keep them a while, as “They’re too nice to use now.” Which means he, like his wife, sold his most prized possession.
Invented resolution: As soon as Jim comes home, the aura feels tensioned, heavy, wicked. Dalla nervously stands in the bedroom they share, as she takes off the beanie that was wrapped around her now shaved head. As she begins to take it off, Jim lets out a tragically loud scream.
He can’t believe his wife had committed such atrocious acts. As the room is filled with expeditious hefty silence, Jim shuts the door and leaves.
Questions
The story begins on Christmas Eve. Why is this aspect of the story so important?
What is both wonderful and terrible about each gift?
Why might the narrator refer to Della and Jim as the Magi?
What is the narrator's opinion of the characters and their actions?
Is Jim's initial reaction to Della when he arrives home positive or negative?
