Exploring Love in 'The Gift of the Magi' and 'The Ring'

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Love is just a word, but it is one that brings its own definition. This meaning is conveyed in the two short stories, “The Gift of the Magi,” and “The Ring” when the characters have their way of demonstrating their love towards one another. In “The Gift of the Magi,” Della and Jim reveal their meaning of love by showing their willingness to sacrifice for one another. In “The Ring,” Sigismund expresses his love towards Lovisa which is based on her satisfaction. To note the similarities and dissimilarities between “The Gift of the Magi,” and “The Ring,” demonstrates that love has its controversy based on each of the stories concepts about what love is and on seeing the reality of what love means. In both short stories, similarities are shared …show more content…

In both short stories, Della and Lovisa had to give up something to stay with their significant other. In “The Ring,” for Lovisa and Sigismund “it had not been easy for them to get married,” since Lovisa’s parents didn’t agree with their decision, causing her to go against them. Lovisa had to abandon her parent’s ideals to stay with Sigismund. In “The Gift of the Magi,” both Della and Jim give up for one another. Della and Jim both comply in giving their all to one another by giving up their most valuable item to turn it into something for the good of the other. The presents that they both gave one another, “of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the wisest.” In both short stories, there is a connection by the couples having to give up something for one another. There is a distinction in the passages in the way that Della and Jim both still love each other at the end of the passage, despite in the way that Sigismund still feeling the same love towards Lovisa but she feeling the complete opposite. In “The Gift of the Magi,” despite Della and Jim sacrificing for each other, the meaning of the gifts meant more than the actual gifts itself. In “The Ring,” Sigismund still loves Lovisa, but she does not, after all, the sacrifice she went through with her

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