Wednesday, February 24, 2016

What is the significance of the title "The Gift of the Magi"?

The significance of the title is twofold. First, we need to realize that the title comes from the New Testament. The magi, or wise men, gave the baby Jesus gifts. According to the the gospel of Matthew, they gave gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 states (KJV):


And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their...

The significance of the title is twofold. First, we need to realize that the title comes from the New Testament. The magi, or wise men, gave the baby Jesus gifts. According to the the gospel of Matthew, they gave gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 states (KJV):



And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.



These magi travelled a far distance, and they gave precious gifts to a child they had never seen before.  Their gifts expressed their devotion.  That they bowed down to worship also shows this point. From this perspective, the title suggests that those who give generously are magi or wise men. 


Second, O. Henry states that Jim and Della are like the magi, because they also gave wise and precious gifts.  Their gifts were particularly wise, because they gave what mattered the most to them. And in this way, they showed their hearts. Finally, the theme of Christmas also ties in nicely.  Here is how O. Henry ends his story:



But let me speak a last word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, these two were the most wise. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Everywhere they are the wise ones. They are the magi.



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