"A Gift for Magi"
What a great lesson of symbolism and irony this story provides. This is one of the first readings I really enjoyed reading. Magi, a distraught younger women, wants to buy her husband something great for Christmas. The couple has been going through financial struggles and she only has $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. There has always been two things Jim has been very proud of in life, his pocket watch and Magi's long flowing locks of hair. In a state of panic Magi decides to cut her hair and sell it to use the money for a nice chain for Jim's pocket watch. She finds the perfect chain.
When Jim arrives home he is shocked as he walks through the door and sees his bride, now with less hair. Jim sits down as Magi pleads for him not to be upset with her. Jim hands Magi her Christmas gift, a set of brushes she has been wanting for quite some time. Jim had sold his watch to buy the brushes.
The symbolism of the unselfish love they have for each other also adds irony to the story, they each sold their prized possessions to provide the other with a material gift.
Hey, Jaci: Your summary of the story is pretty solid, but I thought I would just add a quick note to say that "Magi" is reference to the magi connected with the birth of Jesus in the Bible. The woman's name in the story is Della. Sounds like you got the plot of the story; I just wanted to make sure that you had a handle on the allusion in the title, etc.
ReplyDeleteDr. Dyer
I also, found this story to be very enjoyable because how can you not enjoy a story about two people who would do anything for eachother when they have nothing? It made me feel so lucky for the things I do have, and also helped me to realize that I would really do the same thing for the people I love as well!
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