"Allusion" is used in "The Gift of the Magi" when the story references the biblical Magi who brought gifts to Jesus on Epiphany, connecting their selfless act of giving to the sacrifices made by Jim and Della for each other. This allusion adds a deeper layer of meaning to the couple's actions in the story.
Some literary elements in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry include irony, symbolisms, and themes of sacrifice and love. The story is filled with situational irony as the main characters sacrifice their most prized possessions for each other without realizing the other's actions. Symbolisms like the gifts, the hair, and the Magi are also used to convey deeper meanings in the narrative.
The Magi gave three gifts. The first gift was gold, symbolizing royalty. Frankincense was the second gift, symbolizing priestly order. Myrrh, symbolizing the eventual death of Jesus, was used to embalm the dead.
Symbolism is used in "The Gift of The Magi," as Dellas hair and Jims watch. Her hair and his watch are their most prized possessions in this story. They both use these items to symoblise another thing; love. They sold their prized posessions to get enough money to afford the gift they wanted to get each other for the upcoming holiday, Christmas. Symbolism is not the only literary element that O. Henry used in this story. Irony is another key element in, "The Gift of The Magi." Irony and coincidence go hand in hand for this story. The irony is that Della sold her hair to get enough money to buy Jim, his gift (the platinum fob chain for his watch). While Jim sold his watch to get money to afford his gift to Della (turquoise combs and hair accesories for her hair). They realize what they've done at the end of the story, and it becomes clear to them that it doesn't matter about the gifts they get for eachother, but the fact that they have eachother. The greatest value they have; is eachother.
Symbolism is used in "The Gift of The Magi," as Dellas hair and Jims watch. Her hair and his watch are their most prized possessions in this story. They both use these items to symoblise another thing; love. They sold their prized posessions to get enough money to afford the gift they wanted to get each other for the upcoming holiday, Christmas. Symbolism is not the only literary element that O. Henry used in this story. Irony is another key element in, "The Gift of The Magi." Irony and coincidence go hand in hand for this story. The irony is that Della sold her hair to get enough money to buy Jim, his gift (the platinum fob chain for his watch). While Jim sold his watch to get money to afford his gift to Della (turquoise combs and hair accesories for her hair). They realize what they've done at the end of the story, and it becomes clear to them that it doesn't matter about the gifts they get for eachother, but the fact that they have eachother. The greatest value they have; is eachother.
The author refers to Jim and Della as the magi because they selflessly give up their most prized possessions to give each other a meaningful gift, mirroring the biblical Magi who visited Jesus with gifts. The comparison emphasizes the sacrificial and thoughtful nature of their love for each other.
Della bought her husband a silver watch chain.A silver watch chain.
"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry satirizes the theme of sacrifice and materialism. The story humorously portrays Della and Jim's selfless acts of selling their prized possessions to buy gifts for each other, only to render the gifts useless. This satirical twist serves to highlight the absurdity of placing value on material possessions over love and genuine connection.
In "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, personification is used when the narrator describes the Dillingham Youngs' apartment as "furnished in the cheapest form of modern furniture." This gives human-like qualities to the apartment by suggesting that it actively chose to be furnished in a certain way.
The Biblical allusion to the story of Absalom and King David. The metaphorical allusion to the Garden of Eden. The allusion to the lives of Arthur Jarvis and Abraham, representing different paths. The allusion to the Valley of the Shadow of Death from the Bible. The allusion to the concept of justice and redemption through suffering. The allusion to the traditional Zulu way of life and the impact of colonization on it.
The biblical allusion made in line 7 refers to the story of David and Goliath, where a small shepherd boy defeats a giant warrior with a slingshot. This allusion is used to depict a situation where an underdog overcomes a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
In "The Pedestrian" by Ray Bradbury, an allusion is used to reference Edgar Allan Poe's story "The Masque of the Red Death." In the story, the police car's reference to "the city of the dead" alludes to Poe's tale, creating a sense of foreboding and highlighting the theme of isolation and death in a society that values conformity.
an allusion