Fiction Analysis The gift of the Magi
.docxFiction Analysis The gift of the Magi
The story is titled «The gift of the Magi» written by O. Henry. The text is about young married couple, who sacrifice their most prized thing in order to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts. Della sells her long, beautiful hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy Della a set of combs for her hair. Their selfless love and sacrifice highlight the true spirit of giving.
The text under analysis belongs to fiction. Genre is a short story.
The text belongs to aesthetic sphere of communication. It addresses a wide circle of readers.
The main functions of the text are aesthetic, emotive and expressive. It aims to evoke emotions, engage the reader’s imagination, and convey a moral lesson.
The type of thinking reflected in the text is figurative, as the author uses vivid imagery, irony, and symbolism to create an emotional impact.
Form of the text is written and follows an inductive contemplation structure, moving from particular details about the characters’ sacrifices to a general moral lesson. It’s a monologue, as the story is told by narrator.
The extract has a single main episode, which is the exchange of gifts between Della and Jim. However, it can be divided in to 3 episodes: the 1st one is Della counts her money, realizes she doesn’t have enough money for a gift, and decides to sell her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch. Then Jim comes home, sees Della’s short hair, and reacts in a way that confuses her before revealing his own sacrifice. And in the end, they realize that their gifts are now useless, yet their love and selfishness prove their wisdom. That’s why the extract has a definite beginning, middle and end: Della’s struggle to find the perfect gift; The exchange of gifts and the ironic twist; The narrator’s reflection on the wisdom of their love. The passage focuses on a single important event in the lives in the main characters – their Christmas gift exchange – which highlights their deep love and selflessness.
The passage consists of several paragraphs of varying lengths. Descriptive paragraphs dominate the beginning, detailing Della’s emotions and sacrifice. These are longer, filled with imagery and reflections. The narrative style includes long, descriptive sentences that slow the reading process, adding depth through vivid imagery and humor. Dialogue appears in the latter part, making the conversation natural and emotional, using ellipses, exclamations, and irony.
The number of characters is limited, only two main characters, Della and Jim, who are round and dynamic. They undergo emotional changes, realizing the depth of their love through sacrifice. Their emotional, visual, and sound portraits are vividly detailed using stylistic devices. Della’s long, luxurious hair is compared to a queen’s jewels, emphasizing its beauty. Jim’s thin, serious face reflects his hardships. The contrast between their sacrifices and their love is enhanced through irony and symbolism. Both are protagonists, with no antagonist—the conflict is their financial hardship. Their selflessness and love define the story’s theme.
The author directly describes the characters’ appearance, providing enough details for a clear mental image. Della is a young, loving wife, described through her long, beautiful hair, which symbolizes her femininity and devotion. She wears a simple dress, reflecting her modest lifestyle. Jim is thin and serious, showing the weight of responsibility. His old coat and worn-out gloves emphasize their poverty. Their love and selflessness are implied through actions rather than direct statements, highlighting their deep emotional connection.
The story follows realism with a touch of romanticism, depicting the struggles of a poor couple while idealizing their love and sacrifice.
The story is told by an omniscient narrator who knows the thoughts and emotions of both characters. The author remains non-committal but subtly guides the reader’s interpretation.
The tone of the text is sentimental, ironic, and moralizing. O. Henry uses irony to create an emotional impact, while his closing remarks give the story a moral lesson.
The text is clear and easy to follow, though it leaves room for reflection on love, sacrifice, and materialism.
The leading theme is the power of love and self-sacrifice. It shows how true wealth lies in generosity and devotion rather than material possessions. Subtopics include poverty, irony, and Christmas spirit.
The text is cohesive and well-structured, with sentences that are grammatically and semantically interconnected.
• Nouns focus on love, sacrifice, and poverty (e.g., “hair,” “watch,” “gift”).
• Verbs are mostly in the past tense, narrating events, while occasional present tense is used for general truths.
• Pronouns are used sparingly to maintain clarity.
• Anaphora (repetition of words at the beginning of sentences) reinforces key ideas, while connectors like “but” and “yet” create contrast.
The text transitions from general to particular, gradually unfolding the characters’ sacrifices and deepening the emotional impact.
The story contains several symbols:
• Della’s hair and Jim’s watch symbolize their most cherished possessions.
• Their gifts symbolize love, sacrifice, and irony, reinforcing the message that selfless giving is the greatest treasure.
The story is set in a modest apartment, emphasizing the couple’s poverty and the warmth of their love.
There are no major flashbacks, but the narrative includes remind elements, such as Jim’s past admiration for his watch.
The presentation of facts is scenic, as the story unfolds in real-time with direct action and dialogue, making the reader experience events as they happen.
I think that the story is very touching and thought-provoking. It highlights the themes of love, sacrifice, and selflessness, showing how true affection goes beyond material things. The unexpected twist at the end adds depth, making it a powerful reminder of the value of relationships.