Comparing Two Stories

Stories are complex. They aren't just letters on a page. Instead, stories are works of art, filled with emotion, feeling, and meaning, built piece by piece using the elements of literature. Theme, dialogue, setting, characters, etc. make a story wonderful. Without them, stories truly are simple and frank letters that speak no message. Some stories have similar traits of theme or setting. Often times, one can make a connection between literary works, but must decode the story and search for it. The two fictional stories “Thank You Ma’am” by Langston Hughes and “The Gift of the Magi” by O.Henry, both have a similar theme of how having love, compassion, and humanity amongst the people around us is beneficial. The theme was developed in “Thank …show more content…
Both of the characters are static characters. From the beginning to the end, their love was what kept this whole story together. Della, a lady with silky long hair, gave up her prized possession in the name of love. Jim, a hardworking man, gave up his family heirloom in the name of love. They tried all they could just so they could see the other person happy. The reader once finished reading the story, would have a warm tingling feeling inside and a smile, knowing the true benefits of compassion and love. Jim and Della could have been wealthy and bought each other lavish gifts, but that wouldn't mean anything. With them being poor, their sacrifices have a deeper meaning. Minor details also greatly impacted the story. Della often repeated the value of the money she had, $1.87, numerous times to show how little it was and to create an emphasis on how hard it would be to find a gift. In the story it stated, “She put on her old brown coat. With the bright light still in her eyes, she moved quickly out the door and down to the street.” Words such as “old” shows the severity of their financial crisis and “quickly” to show the great urgency she had to get Jim a gift. Little words and figurative language here and there really spice up and emulsify the plot of the story. The only reason compassion is shown in the story is of how they were poor and that they each sold …show more content…
What is theme after all? It is the point and main purpose the author wants the reader to grasp and understand. He/she could either boldly and directly state the theme, or he/she can be indirect and discrete, letting the reader make the inference. Both of these stories had indirect themes. Mrs. Jones, an old-soul who wanted to share her message she learned from past mistakes, embraced a needy child and taught him a valuable moral. That is true compassion. Jim and Della, poor and broke, did whatever they could to make each other happy. That is true compassion. Details, dialogue, the setting, and plot, fundamentals of any story, developed this theme. The tone and mood of both was dreary and bleak, but also hopeful and heartfelt. Additionally, both had symbolism inscribed in them. The blue suede shoes were a want that was unreachable by stealing or wrong deeds, only approachable through compassion and help. The shoes were the reason of stealing, but helped to show how two people needed each other. The wristwatch and combs symbolized too as an unreachable want, not necessary when one has a strong connection of love and care in one’s life. Authors, Langston and O.Henry also had an impact of the story. Langston as a boy constantly was separated from his family and had to grow up on his own. This shows to why he wrote, “Thank You Ma’am”. O.Henry’s early life was filled with