The Gift of the Magi

Short Story | O. Henry
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Why does O’ Henry call Jim and Della the ‘Magi’ of modern times?

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Why does O Henry call Jim and Della the Magi of modern times nbsp The Gift of the Magi is a sweet Christmas story by O Henry It takes place in a small eight-dollar flat in New York The main characters are Della and Jim They are poor They love each other deeply Their gifts come from sacrifice Their hearts shine with wisdom This is why O Henry calls them the Magi of modern times Their Gifts Come from True Love and Sacrifice The real Magi were the Wise Men They gave gifts to baby Jesus Their gifts were holy In the story Della wants a gift for Jim She counts that she has nbsp One dollar and eighty seven cents She sells her long hair Her hair was nbsp Shining like a cascade of brown waters Jim also wants a gift for Della He earns twenty dollars a week

He sells his gold watch O Henry calls these actions wise Their gifts come from love not money Their Gifts Are Pure and Full of Meaning Della buys a platinum chain It was good enough for the Watch Jim buys the combs They were nbsp Beautiful combs pure tortoise shell with jewelled rims They cannot use the gifts But the meaning is strong The value is in the heart This makes them wise like the old Magi The Writer Himself Declares Them Magi At the end O Henry writes nbsp Everywhere they are wisest They are the magi He means Jim and Della understand the true spirit of giving They give their best They give with pure love O Henry sees deep beauty in their sacrifice Their love shines brighter than their gifts Their hearts carry true wisdom So Jim and Della become the real Magi of today

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O. Henry
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from The Gift of the Magi