Curated set · answers marked
What is the central irony at the end of "The Gift of the Magi"?
Rationale
In O. Henry's classic short story, Della sells her long, beautiful hair to buy Jim a platinum watch chain, while Jim sells his treasured pocket watch to get Della a set of decorative combs for her hair. Each sacrifice makes the other's gift unusable, yet the story highlights their selfless love as the greatest gift of all — reflecting the wisdom of the biblical Magi.
In O. Henry's short story The Gift of the Magi, what do Jim and Della each give up to purchase a Christmas gift for one another?
What is the central irony at the end of "The Gift of the Magi"?
Rationale
O. Henry’s trademark twist shows that Jim sold his cherished gold watch to buy Della a set of beautiful combs for her long hair, while Della sold her long hair to get Jim a platinum watch chain. Each of these sacrifices makes the other’s gift useless right away, yet both acts are testaments to their deep, selfless love for one another.