Theme and Narrative Elements in Gift of The Magi by O. Henri - Book Report/Review Example

? Theme and Narrative Elements in the Short Story: Gift of The Magi, O. Henri An exploration into the uses of various themes used in The Gift of Magi by O. Henry. He has one main theme and seven minor themes. He uses narrative elements such as tone and dramatic irony among the literary devices to progress from one theme to another. The principle theme of un-sacrificed gift giving that is first mentioned in the title and then in the last paragraph, will be the basis of this paper. O. Henry uses his humor and changes the ending of the story using dramatic irony to show that the theme of the title has been well established. Theme and Narrative Elements in the Short Story The Magi of Gift Giving O. Henry Interpretation of the importance of the themes can be different depending on the type of analysis. The analysis can be personal and or cultural. The identification of the various themes must respond to four criteria. The purpose of this essay is to analyze the depth of the principle theme using the four major criteria: a study of the characters; identifying the conflict; if the conflict has been resolved; and what has been learnt by the theme (rule or ‘generalization '). O. Henry uses many subthemes which help move toward the generalization of the major theme. The Gift of Magi by O Henry which was written in 1906 will be used as an example. As the major theme is developed, other themes will be illustrated as well as the use of the number three of words, and sound. Both give a dramatic effect to the tone and psychological change of one of the two characters. The theme in the short story is "the representation of the idea behind the story". It responds to the questions of how the writer wants the ideas to be accomplished; how the characters demonstrate these underlying ideas in order to show their true feelings; and how the conflict or true feelings demonstrate the value of the underlying ideas. The principle words to remember are how, underlying ideas, and conflict. The Title can be used as a theme because it is the first presentation of the story showing the underlying meaning of the Story. The Gift of Magi is the story of gift giving but as O. Henry is known for his irony, Magi is used to represent the three kings who gave gifts at the manger and as a metaphor for the ancient spelling of the word Magic. Because of the irony of the word, the reader knows that something happens in undertones, as a twist, when the gifts are given. As themes are often interpretations, some might not agree with the second meaning. There are three twists in the story: cutting her hair, shopping for the gift, and giving the gift. The number three is a literary device he uses throughout the story. Each theme is expressed with the use of the number three to define the setting, the tone, or the character. The most important theme is the meaning of selfless love as gift giving without any pretense of anything in return represents the three kings and our young couple (Nozar, p.157) The story opens with Della counting her money, she counts it three times. Her character description has three subthemes: poverty, desperation & hope. O. Henry demonstrates movement by changing narration when he adds "Three times Della counted it….." The number three adds to the motion of the first paragraph. He opens and closes the paragraph with $1.87 and ends her waiting for her husband with "what could I do with $1.87….” Three times she mentions this sum of money. She is the initial story teller. O. Henry is the narrator. There are minor themes of poverty, lack of gifts for Christmas, love, unconditional love, humiliation and wanting to please each other. Each of these minor themes play an important part in the central theme of unconditional gift giving. The device of other uses of three: the grocer, vegetable man, and the butcher show the theme of humiliation of having to save the pennies. Sobs, Sniffles and Smiles brings the narration back to Della. The use of 'S' is her way of describing her feelings about life. This is the last time we hear directly from Della until she goes to sell her hair. O. Henry shows her as being a naive and innocent. He often romanticized the pains of poverty. (Wherlock, p. 320) From the narrator's point of view, the predominant theme is that there is not a Christmas present for her husband. Della has equated the present with showing her love, respect and honor due to Mr. Dillingham. She continues to show her humiliated, depressed state when she uses the word gray: gray cat, gray fence, gray backyard. The cat was a metaphor for her life and existence in her apartment. At one point in anticipation of her husband she said she felt like a singed cat. The use of’s’ and the use of 'g'. She had been dreaming of a better life, the conflict builds with the words "fine and rare and sterling". 'Suddenly' the tone changes. O. Henry uses adverbs to describe the resolution of the conflict: suddenly, brilliantly, and rapidly. Della had decided to sell her hair. There is a complete change of tone when she lets her hair down. She had decided to sell her hair in order to buy James Dillingham Young a gift. O. Henry is using dramatic irony first as he explains how James loves her hair as a possession and two as she treats it as a piece of art. "A tear or two splashed on the carpet". Her emotions show her doubt in getting it cut. The carpet also shows that they once lived a better life. When she put her jacket on, the reader knows the conflict has been resolved; Della wanted to be able to show her love to her husband. He would have a Christmas gift. She makes her decision to sell her hair for the unconditional love she felt towards her husband. The Magi of a Gift was being performed. The narrative went from Della at the shop back to the story teller. When she was looking for a present, she had no idea what she would find. Having found a chain for his sacred gold watch was a symbolic replacement of her hair though it was "simple and chaste in design. She has resolved the conflict of once having a better life by the symbolism of the chain being simple. She is happy and excited by her choice. The language is different at the store and changes again at home. This is the first time that the narrator makes reference to the title 'The gift of the Magi'. (Nozar, p.154)The narrative changes back to Della. She becomes sad. The mirror that made her change her mind about selling her hair has made her realize that her husband might be furious. O. Henry starts playing with the language for the first time since the use of 'g'. 'Carefully and Critically' and Coney Island Chorus girl". She mentions once again the $1.87. The reader realizes that talking about this sum is a sign of insecurity of a young woman. Her husband is working hard while she is saving pennies. When Jim came home, the reader and Della didn't know whether he would be furious or not. Once again O. Henry uses a narrative theme to express Jim’s dissatisfaction. It was not a gift to cut part of one's body. “The dark assertion” will be illuminated later on in the last paragraph. They exchanged their gifts only to realize that they couldn't use them. In the last paragraph, the narrator is ironically saying that the child couple is the wisest of all gift givers as the story showed the Mutual Self Sacrifice of a husband and wife (Wherlock, p.319). They have bought each other gifts that neither can use. They sold their most valuable possession to buy these gifts. They are like the Three Kings who bring the gifts to the manger for the pleasure of doing so. References Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into Literature. Nozar, N. (2010). How to Study Literature: A Stylistic and Pragmatic Approach. Wherlock, H.P. (2010). Companion to the American Short Story. Read More