Biblical Allusions In The Gift Of The Magi
What brings out the true values in “The Gift of the Magi”?Biblical allusions in the story can be found at when O.Henry compared Della and Jim’s riches with the riches of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. The comparison between their riches show that what Jim and Della had was enough to be compared with famous wealthy people, but it isn’t what they have materially at the end that makes them rich but what they have in the inside. Jim and Della’s treasures versus the treasures of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. “Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gift…” (O.Henry) The Queen of Sheba is a known Biblical
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By invoking the Bible at moments O. Henry makes "Gift of the Magi" feel more morally which is different from Biblical allusion. Jim and Della’s possessions compared to those 3 Biblical figures bring out how important and precious Della’s hair and Jim’s watch are to themselves, but they had to give them away. But that isn’t all what the imagery of King Solomon and The Queen of Sheba gives to the readers. By bringing them up, and by mentioning the Magi, O. Henry creates a sharp contrast between their spectacular riches and the obvious poverty and Jim and Della. “In the story ‘ The Gift of the Magi’ the two main characters, Jim and Della were just like the Magis... because they gave the wisest gift of all.”(Dixies). The 3 Biblical characters were financially rich which makes contrast to the poverty the couple had. “Biblical story of the three Magis which is about three wise men that are from the east traveling to Bethlehem, following the north star in order to present gifts to the infant Jesus…”(Sarashita). Both Della and Jim wanted to give each other something for Christmas, they made the wisest choice on what to give to each other just like what the Magis did when they were going to give Jesus a
By invoking the Bible at moments O. Henry makes "Gift of the Magi" feel more morally which is different from Biblical allusion. Jim and Della’s possessions compared to those 3 Biblical figures bring out how important and precious Della’s hair and Jim’s watch are to themselves, but they had to give them away. But that isn’t all what the imagery of King Solomon and The Queen of Sheba gives to the readers. By bringing them up, and by mentioning the Magi, O. Henry creates a sharp contrast between their spectacular riches and the obvious poverty and Jim and Della. “In the story ‘ The Gift of the Magi’ the two main characters, Jim and Della were just like the Magis... because they gave the wisest gift of all.”(Dixies). The 3 Biblical characters were financially rich which makes contrast to the poverty the couple had. “Biblical story of the three Magis which is about three wise men that are from the east traveling to Bethlehem, following the north star in order to present gifts to the infant Jesus…”(Sarashita). Both Della and Jim wanted to give each other something for Christmas, they made the wisest choice on what to give to each other just like what the Magis did when they were going to give Jesus a