Discuss the meaning and the role of allusions in “The Gift of the Magi” by O'Henry

The novella "The Gifts of the Magi" was written by O'Henry in 1906. This story is about gifts that spouses made to each other for Christmas. The story is imbued with the spirit of Christmas and a magical, cozy atmosphere. And the story is not just about Christmas gifts, but about priceless things that no one will ever be able to buy for money. It's about selfless love and self-sacrifice. If we look at the story more deeply, it will turn out to be much more about significant things. A man and a woman truly love each other sacrificing the last thing they have to please their soulmate on such a beautiful holiday and it seems to us that this audience is full of love, but also O’Henry uses allusions that are dedicated to biblical themes, especially the author linked to the Magi. In Persia, the Magi were revered as healers, shamans and dream interpreters. The emperor turned to them for advice, making the Magi court astrologers. The influence of this stratum of society gradually strengthened, and the fame of the magi as great sages and magicians spread throughout the state. Thus, O’Henry combined two completely dissimilar stories and destinies into one work. The story takes place in New York in one of the poor quarters of the metropolis. The couple rented a modestly furnished apartment in which "eloquently silent poverty" made itself felt. On Christmas Eve, the girl wanted to give her husband a gift. But the Dillingham couple, living in extreme poverty, barely making ends meet, nevertheless have two real treasures. One of them is his wife's luxurious hair, and the other is her husband's expensive family watch. What is missing is the appropriate accessories that can emphasize the beauty of these treasures – tortoiseshell hair combs and a gold watch chain. But due to the fact that Jim's income was reduced, and Della had to save literally on everything, this did not affect her attitude towards her husband, whom she loved with all her heart. So, Della looked at her hair, which fell below her knees, cried a little and resolutely went to Madame Sophronia's salon, the owner of which was engaged in the manufacture of wigs and hairpieces. For twenty dollars, the girl sold her treasure, and immediately went to buy a suitable gift for Jim. She chose a platinum chain for his watch. Cooking dinner, Della was worried about only one thing: how her lovely husband would react to her with short, like a boy's hair. At the sight of his shorn wife, Jim "froze at the door, like a setter smelling a quail. " An explanation was that he pawned a gold watch to buy his wife a set of tortoiseshell combs, which she had long dreamed of. Jim smiled and suggested to Della hide the gifts until better times. At the end of the story O’Henry wrote “They are the Magi”. Hence, the narrator compares these gifts with the gifts of the biblical magi in the name of love — or to be more precise, the author puts a couple above them. "The Gifts of the Magi" is a great example of religious allusions. Simple human love, which the author elevates to the height of the wisdom of the Magi, is the most precious gift that no amount of money can buy. O. Henry approves of the actions of his heroes. There is an author's digression in the text: "And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children. . . of all who gave gifts these two were the wisest"The ability to give up the most expensive thing in life on a holiday for the sake of a loved one, in order to bring him happiness on a holiday - this is the meaning of relations between people. And the more a person sacrifices, the stronger his love. O’Henry writes about the Magi and compares his main characters with them. If we look at the name of the story in a religious and historical way it should mention that the Magi were quite rich. When the Magi saw Jesus, they worshiped him and brought their gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh( is a precious fragrant oil). The gifts of the magi had a symbolic meaning: gold was given to the King, frankincense was presented to God, and myrrh to the one who should accept death, because in the time of King Herod, the dead were anointed with oils that were mixed with fragrant myrrh. The offering of such expensive gifts was a manifestation of honor and respect for a noble person. Comparing Jim and Della with these biblical characters, we understand that they are far from rich in comparison with the Magi and how dear to them are the things they sell in order to make each other happy. At the mention of the Magi, O’Henry creates a sharp contrast between their impressive wealth and the obvious poverty of Jim and Della. About Henry using an allusion makes readers wonder what true wealth is. Jim and Della are rich as the Magi, because they love each other deeply and sincerely. All in all, in the novel by O’Henry, the Magi are ordinary people who are able to work miracles with the power of their love. Behind their gifts is genuine love and a feat of self-denial. Using such a complex method of rethinking history with the help of allusion, O’Henry managed to convey the message that he conceived. Through the use of allusions, the story began to play differently and acquired a deeper meaning and gave an impetus to many readers' thoughts. Also, through the allusion, we understand that the author wanted to show us that the true wisdom of the heroes is not in the "gifts of the Magi", but in their love and devotion to each other. Love and sacrifice, faithful and selfless friendship, support for each other — these are the main qualities in a person's life that make life truly happy. Symbols of the Magi in the story 1. 1 Historical aspect According to legend, the gifts of the Magi are precious incense that the three wise magi presented to the infant Jesus Christ. When a star flashed in the east, they realized that the savior of the world was born. Hence the custom of giving gifts to your loved ones at Christmas. 1. 2 Richness like the Magi had is not the main point in the story Jim and Della do not have a lot of money like these biblical characters, we understand how dear to them are the things they sell in order to make each other happy. There can be seen the contrast between their wealth and poverty of Jim and Della. Comparison between main characters and the Magi and meaning of allusions. 2. 1 Comparison with the Magi Jim and Della are rich, like the Magi, because they love each other. Only the couple is rich spiritually and not materially. “They are the Magi” The narrator calls the spouses real wise men-magi, because their wisdom is not in material values, but in love and devotion to each other, the ability to sacrifice for each other. 2. 2 Comparison with the queen and king «Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts» «Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy» With such comparisons, the author wants to make it clear: if the legendary kings were famous for treasures, then the Yang family has no less spiritual riches The role of allusions. 3. 1 Relationship of couple Through allusions there can be seen deep feelings of the couple for example comparison of couple and the Magi 3. 2 Author’s point of view His attitude to these two kids: “And here I have told you an unremarkable story about two stupid children from an eight-dollar apartment who sacrificed their greatest treasures for each other in the most unwise way. But let it be said for the edification of the wise men of our days that of all the donors, these two were the wisest. Of all those who offer and accept gifts, only those like them are truly wise. Everywhere and everywhere. They are the Magi. ”