What Is The Irony In The Gift Of Magi

Love is a heartfelt sacrifice that will last forever. In the short story, “The Gift of Magi” by O.Henry, Jim and Della make sacrifices for each other that show their love. Jim and Della have many financial troubles, but they still show their strong love for each other. Also, the watch that Jim carries around with him is one of his most, valued, prized possessions. Lastly, the irony shown throughout the story comes with a big twist. O.Henry projects the idea that love is shown through selfless actions by Della not having enough money to buy Jim a gift, a symbolic chain, and an unexpected twist of irony. Christmas is quickly approaching and Della does not have enough money to buy Jim a gift. While Della is counting her money in her room, she figures out that she definitely does not have enough money to buy Jim a gift. For instance, O.Henry writes, “One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas” (96). With this in mind, Della does not have enough money to buy Jim a gift. As a result, love can also be shown by selfless actions. Thus, Della’s love for Jim was shown
Della and Jim both love each other very much, which is shown through their ironic actions. For example, “I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs” (O.Henry 102). As a result, this is the moment in which Jim told Della that he sold his prized possession, his watch, to buy her combs for the hair she sold for him. When Della bought the chain to complement Jim’s watch, she was not expecting that he had already sold his watch for her. Jim revealed his love for Della by his selfless behavior of him selling his cherished chattel. By Jim’s altruistic behavior towards Della demonstrated his love for her, and that it was more than material things. Furthermore, Della and Jim both showed their love for each other through a twist of