Justify the Title “The Gift of the Magi”

Answer

Justify the title “The Gift of the Magi”.

Henry’s (1862-1910) short story “The Gift of the Magi” (1905) has a meaningful and symbolic title. The title connects the story of Jim and Della to the biblical Magi, the wise men who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus. The title emphasizes the themes of love, selflessness, and wisdom and makes it perfectly suited to the story’s message.

The Biblical Magi: The title directly alludes to the Biblical Magi. The Magi were three wise men who traveled to honor the newborn Jesus Christ with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were valuable and chosen with care. These gifts symbolize the givers’ wisdom and devotion. Similarly, Jim and Della’s gifts, though simple and became unusable by their sacrifices, hold immense emotional value. The narrator compares Jim and Della’s gifts to the gifts of the Magi, saying:

Of all who give gifts, these two were the wisest. They are the Magi.

Here, O. Henry compares the couple’s selfless actions with the wisdom of the Magi. Hence, the title is perfectly suitable.

The Wisdom of Jim and Della: The Magi are considered wise for their understanding of the significance of their gifts. In the same way, Jim and Della demonstrate wisdom in their selflessness. The gifts they buy for each other become unusable because of their sacrifices: Della no longer has long hair for the combs, and Jim no longer has a watch for the chain. Yet, their sacrifices highlight the true value of their relationship. Their sacrifices become priceless. By connecting their actions to the Magi’s wisdom, the story conveys that true wisdom is found in selfless love.

The Act of Giving: The story’s title underscores the act of giving, which lies at the heart of both the Magi’s story and Jim and Della’s actions. The Magi’s gifts were not merely about their material worth but about the thought, love, and devotion behind them. Similarly, Jim and Della’s sacrifices represent their deep love and desire to bring joy to each other. Their mutual sacrifices reveal that they value each other’s happiness above everything else.

Sacrifice: The title also reflects the theme of sacrifice, an essential element in the story. Both Jim and Della give up their most prized possessions—Jim’s gold watch and Della’s long hair—to buy gifts for each other. These sacrifices parallel the Magi’s journey and the effort they made to present meaningful offerings.

Love as the Greatest Gift: The title reinforces the idea that the greatest gift is love, not material possessions. While Jim and Della’s gifts become unusable, their sacrifices affirm the strength of their love. They become the wisest because of their devotion to each other. The narrator says,

Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

In conclusion, the title “The Gift of the Magi” perfectly captures the essence of the story. It connects Jim and Della’s sacrifices to the biblical Magi’s wisdom and generosity. This suitable title emphasizes that the true value of a gift lies in the love and thought behind it.