How Does O. Henry Use Direct Characterization In The Gift Of The Magi

Often people do not think about the power that a simple gift can have on others. A gift can be the act of giving food or money to bless someone. It is from this action of giving that O. Henry was inspired to write a story based upon sacrifice and love. Throughout the story, The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, details and indirect characterization work together to display how the wisest of people make crucial sacrifices for others to sustain happiness.
Throughout The Gift of the Magi, details are set up to inform the reader of the situation the characters, Jim and Della, are going through in their daily lives. Their situation is shown with phrases such as, “ Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far”, and “...letter box too small to hold a letter, ” (Henry). These phrases explain to the reader that the main characters, Jim and Della, are going through hard times and can’t make much money to support themselves in their daily lives. There are only two items the characters have to be proud of and are worth anything, these items are Jim’s gold watch which is from his father

and Della’s long hair. Each of these items are described in the story to be worth more than king’s and queen’s jewelry. This description of the watch and hair show the reader how Jim and Della don't have a lot to give, but they have a lot to lose. Without the details, the sacrifice each character makes in the story, would not have been so significant and made them so wise.
In addition to the details in The Gift of the Magi, indirect characterization also brings out the theme of how the wisest of people make sacrifices for others.

As it is explained in the details, the two most important things to the family is Jim’s watch and Della’s hair. Both Jim and Della give up their prized possessions to buy the other something that is valuable. As Jim sold his watch to buy combs for Della's hair, and Della also sold her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch making both gifts worthless. These are both big sacrifices made for the other, and it shows their true love and how selfless each of them are. Stated in the story, magis are known for bringing the most thoughtful gifts to people. Through the character's actions it is stated “of all who give gifts these two were the wisest”(Henry). Giving up something for another person to make them happy is the wisest decision that can be

made.
The Gift of the Magi displays how those who offer up something they love for others are the most insightful. Sacrifices are hard decisions to make for others, but those who make their decision for love are the wisest of people. This moral is lost in most people today because there is no thinking to giving anymore.