Use Of Situational Irony In The Gift Of The Magi

Throughout a story, a writer will incorporate the use of irony into the text in order to provoke a certain idea towards the readers that will establish a further understanding of the story. In “The Gift of The Magi” by O. Henry, and “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant both writers use situational irony to develop the theme of sacrifice throughout the stories. The use of situational irony can create suspense within the text which helps make the readers understand a point that the author is trying to convey. In “The Gift of The Magi” situational irony is developed when Jim and Della both sacrifice their most prized possessions, their watch and hair so that they can buy each other gifts, however they both buy gifts that neither of them can use
since they have sold the items that were to go with these gifts. Similarly, in “The Necklace”a poor woman borrows an extremely expensive necklace from her friend, soon after borrowing the necklace the woman loses it and works for ten years to replace it, after these ten years are up she learns that the necklace was barely worth anything at all.