Antoine JohnsonProfessor CanonEnglish Comp I12 APR 2013True Love in “The Gift of the Magi”Throughout life, true love and sacrifice go hand in hand. It can be a mother who distorts her body to bring a new life into the world, or a father who gives his last five dollars to his daughter so she can have lunch at school. Love does not exist without sacrifice. In “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, the theme of love and sacrifice can be seen in the selfless actions of both Della and Jim. With her is the ambition to purchase the perfect gift by any means necessary; with him is giving a family heirloom. Their reaction to each other's actions shows what love is capable of. Originally published in the New York Sunday World on December 10, 1905 under the title "Gifts of the Magi," the story begins with Della wanting to buy a gift for her husband Jim for Christmas but only has $1.87. Once reality hits her about the current situation she finds herself in, she begins to cry. Only when the narrator tells the story of the couple's trials and tribulations do we truly understand that although they were rich in love, they were actually poor. Not letting this stop her, she embarks on a mission to find the perfect gift for her husband, sacrificing her most prized possession; her hair. Jim also has the same mission, sacrificing his watch to show how much he loves her. The author of this story, O. Henry (William Sydney Porter), was known for clever endings, excellent characterization, wit and ingenious choice of words. An example of unconditional love and sacrifice is with Della. In Della's situation, her sacrifice was for the love of her husband and the love she had for her hair. Della was proud of her hair; “He had the……half of the card……nt; “I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.” Not all sacrifices are about pain and anguish; sometimes they can be about acceptance and forgiveness. The unconditional love that Jim and Della have for each other is proof that no matter what sacrifices come in the way, the love they have for each other will make it worth it. Jim sacrificed his watch for some combs to give to Della while she sacrificed her hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch. Love will lead you to make the ultimate sacrifice to demonstrate your compassion and loyalty; their most precious possessions were taken away for the benefit of bringing joy to one another. Even though the sacrifice was bittersweet, understanding the adoration they have for each other makes the purpose behind O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi" much more understandable.