Examples Of Allusion In The Gift Of The Magi

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In the story “The Gift of the Magi,” the author O. Henry writes about a married couple who demonstrated the real meanings of sacrifice and unconditional love. Mr. James and Mrs. Della Dillingham Young appreciated each other despite the ironies and obstacles in their lives. They also had a very passionate love for each other, and they would do almost anything to make one another happy. O. Henry indicates these significant traits of their marriage through the use of imagery, cosmic irony and literary allusion. It was Christmas Eve, which meant it was very cold and snowy outside. Della and James lived in an old uncostly flat with the Dillingham sign wearing away daily. “In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring” (Henry 184). The mailbox seemed to be useless and torn down, and the doorbell did not work anymore. “Della stood by the window and looked out dully at a grey cat walking a grey fence in a grey backyard” (Henry 184). Everything was gloomy and …show more content…
Henry also uses allusion in “The Gift of the Magi.” He alludes to the Queen of Sheba, King Solomon and the Magi, who all show characteristics of wisdom, giving and wealth. King Solomon made a decision to have the gift of wisdom. The Queen of Sheba questioned his wisdom, and she was amazed by what he had done. Afterwards, she brought very lavish gifts to King Solomon, and they traded their own valuable things. The Magi are known as astronomers or the Three Wise Men who followed a star to find the baby Jesus. They eventually brought gifts of gold and myrrh, which are very expensive gifts. They worshipped the baby and became very fond of him, just like James and Della are very fond of each other. Mr. Dillingham Young and his wife are compared to the Magi because the Magi brought gifts to Jesus, and James and Della bought gifts for each other. They both sacrificed precious things that they had to show genuine love and
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