O. Henry, "Gifts of the Magi": a short story

The tradition of giving presents for Christmas arose a long time ago. Initially, it is related to the biblical story of the sorcerers who brought incense to the newly-born Jesus. When they saw the star appearing in the sky, they realized that the savior of mankind had appeared in the world, and they came to worship him.

About what a person can sacrifice in order to deliver true joy to a loved one, we are talking about O. Henry's story "The Gifts of the Magi", a brief summary of which is given below.

Exposition. Acquaintance with the heroes

Already from the first proposals of the work it becomes clear how difficult it is for the married couple Dillingham Jung. They rent a flat, for which you have to pay 8 dollars every week. In all circumstances, "silent poverty" is seen. The doorbell does not work. And the slot in the mailbox is so narrow that it would not be possible to omit the letter in any way. Yes, and a sign on the door with the name of the owner, who appeared when he earned $ 30, now seemed tarnished. Since the family's income declined by ten dollars, the spouses had to save in everything. But every evening on his return home, Mr. James was always waiting for the wife's joyful voice and "gentle embrace."

Della

The summary of the story "Gifts of the Magi" should be continued with the description of the hostess of the house. On the eve of Christmas, she sadly counted the money that she could save in a few months, saving in everything, wherever possible. She remembered scenes of humiliating trade with a grocer, a butcher, a greengrocer for every cent. But the costs were still very high, because in the end it was possible to collect only a dollar and eighty-seven cents. They were to buy a present for her husband, whom she loved very much.

At first, Della rushed to the couch and burst into tears. However, it was necessary to do something. She went to the window, then suddenly went to the pier stood in the pier. Her eyes blazed and her face turned pale.

The only wealth of the heroes of the story "Gifts of the Magi"

The summary should necessarily include a description of Della's hair and James's watch, for they constituted their main pride.

The young woman, approaching to the mirror, freed the locks from the hairpins ... They scattered over her shoulders and covered her whole figure below her knees. They glittered and shimmered, resembling a chestnut waterfall. But Della immediately began to collect them. At that moment, two or three tears rolled down from her eyes. The decision ripened instantly - after all, she could not leave her dear James without a present. Moreover, his gorgeous watch, inherited from his grandfather and father, needed a chain. It will replace the old leather strap. Then the beloved can proudly take out his watch to see the time.

Twenty dollars for a gift

Della quickly dressed and rushed to the street - this is how the plot of the story "Gifts of the Magi" develops, the summary of which is offered to the reader. She rushed to the second floor of the building, where Madame Sophronie was sitting, buying up her hair. A few minutes - and Della got twenty dollars and went shopping in search of a gift. And after another couple of hours she hurried home with the remaining eighty-seven cents and bought a platinum chain for watches.

Return of the husband

First of all, Della curled her hair - she hoped that James would not be very upset when he saw her with a new haircut, and especially not fall out of love. She made coffee and cooked a frying pan for the cutlets. Then, clutching the chain in her hand, she crouched closer to the door and froze in anticipation.

Entered Mr. Dillingham Jung, seeing his wife, froze in an incomprehensible numbness ... Approximately so continues O. Henry "Gifts of the Magi." The summary of the story does not allow us to describe the scene that arose at that moment. The important thing is that James could not believe that his Della no longer had her luxurious hair.

Gift exchange

Quite soon his behavior will become clear to the reader. James took out a bundle of paper and handed it to his wife. Della unfolded it - and before her eyes appeared crests. The very ones she had long dreamed of: tortoiseshells, with stones at the edges. They so approached to color of its hair. Involuntarily poured tears and groans of despair help to understand the state of a woman. And this episode can be called the culmination of the story "Gifts of the Magi." The summary of the conversation that arose between the spouses is reduced to the following. Della tried to convince her husband that her hair would soon grow back. But she also bought him a magnificent gift. She unclenched her hand and a precious metal glittered on it. But James, seeing the chain, lay down on the couch and smiled. He sold his watch to buy ridges. "We'll have to hide our presents so far ... they are too good for us," was his reply.

The final

In the final part of the work O. Henry recalls the biblical story and gives it a very brief content. Gifts of the wise men, called wise, could always be exchanged if they turned out to be unfit. The difference between the told story is that Delly and James were much more generous. These two, not a moment did not hesitate, sacrificed for the loved one the most expensive thing that was in their life. And affectionately calling their heroes "stupid children from the eight-dollar apartment," the author notes that they are the wisest.

This is the story of the great love of two ordinary people, described in the story of O. Henry "The Gifts of the Magi," a brief summary of which you read.