The Gift of the Magi Summary

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

Story Introduction

  • Author: O. Henry (William Sidney Porter), 1862–1910
  • First Published: 1905
  • The story is in the public domain in the United States and most other countries.

Part 1

  • Della only has 1.87, including 60 cents in pennies she saved by bargaining aggressively with local vendors.
  • She counted the money three times.
  • The next day is Christmas.
  • Della is upset and cries on their shabby couch, leading to the reflection that life consists of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles being the most common.

Home Description

  • The flat costs 8 per week.
  • The letter-box is broken, and the electric button doesn't work.
  • The name on the card reads “Mr. James Dillingham Young.”
  • Formerly, when James earned 30 per week, the full “Dillingham” was displayed, but now that his income has decreased to 20 per week, the name looks blurred.
  • James is called “Jim” and is affectionately greeted by his wife, Della.

Della's Predicament

  • Della cries and then uses a powder rag to attend to her cheeks.
  • She looks out the window at a gray scene.
  • She only has 1.87 to buy Jim a Christmas present.
  • She has been saving for months but expenses were higher than expected and saving was difficult at only 20 a week.
  • She wants to find something worthy of Jim.

Valued Possessions

  • The flat has a pier-glass that allows a thin, agile person to see their reflection in strips.
  • Della assesses herself in the mirror.
  • Jim and Della have two prized possessions: Jim’s gold watch (inherited from his father and grandfather) and Della’s hair.
  • Della's hair is so beautiful that it would depreciate the Queen of Sheba's jewels.
  • Jim's watch is so valuable that it would make King Solomon envious.

Della's Decision

  • Della’s hair falls like a cascade of brown water, reaching below her knee.
  • She puts her hair up again quickly, with tears on the carpet.
  • She puts on her old brown jacket and hat and goes to the street.

Selling Her Hair

  • Della goes to “Mme. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds.”
  • She sells her hair to Madame Sofronie for 20.

Finding Jim's Gift

  • Della spends two hours searching for Jim’s present.
  • She finds a platinum fob chain for his watch, which is simple, chaste, and valuable - worthy of The Watch.
  • The chain costs 21, and she returns home with 87 cents.

Preparing for Jim's Arrival

  • Della curls her hair to repair the damage from cutting it, though she worries Jim will not like it.
  • She makes coffee and prepares chops for dinner.
  • She nervously anticipates Jim’s reaction, hoping he will still find her pretty.

Jim's Reaction

  • Jim arrives home looking thin and serious; he is only twenty-two and burdened with responsibilities, needing a new overcoat and gloves.
  • Jim stares at Della with an unreadable expression, which terrifies her.
  • Della explains that she cut and sold her hair to buy him a present and asks him to be happy and say “Merry Christmas!”.
  • Jim seems stunned and asks if her hair is gone.
  • Della confirms she sold it for him and asks if he still likes her.

The Revelation

  • Jim embraces Della, and the narrator digresses on the irrelevance of wealth compared to their love.
  • Jim reveals he sold his watch to buy Della combs.
  • Della unwraps The Combs—beautiful, expensive tortoise shell combs with jeweled rims that she had long desired for her hair.
  • The combs are now useless since she has cut her hair.
  • Della shows Jim the platinum fob chain she bought for his watch.

Jim's Sacrifice

  • Jim suggests they put the presents away since they cannot use them.
  • He reveals that he sold his watch to buy Della the combs.

The Magi

  • The narrator compares Jim and Della to the Magi, who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger and invented the art of giving Christmas presents.
  • Despite their foolish sacrifices, Jim and Della are the wisest of all who give and receive gifts because of their love and selflessness.

Story Conclusion

  • The story emphasizes themes of love, sacrifice, and the true meaning of gifts.
  • It notes that Della sold her hair to buy Jim a chain and Jim sold his watch to buy Della combs.
  • The story mentions the allusion to the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon.
  • The story discusses the simple life and appreciating what you have.