The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is a short story that depicts the lives of a poor young couple, Jim and Della, who try to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts with their limited money. They end up sacrificing their most prized possessions, Jim’s gold watch and Della’s long hair, to buy gifts that are rendered useless by their respective sacrifices. The story is often interpreted as a celebration of selfless love and generosity. Still, it can also be read as a critique of capitalist society and its impact on human values.
Marxism
According to Marxist theory, capitalism is a system that divides society into two classes: the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production and exploit the workers, and the proletariat, who sell their labour and receive a fraction of its value. Capitalism also creates a culture of materialism, where commodities are valued more than human relationships and needs. Marxists believe capitalism alienates workers from their true selves, creative potential, and fellow human beings. They also argue that capitalism is doomed to collapse due to its internal contradictions and class struggle and that a socialist revolution is necessary to create a classless society where everyone is equal and free.
The story of The Gift of the Magi can be seen as an illustration of some of these Marxist concepts and criticisms. Jim and Della are clearly members of the proletariat, who live in a shabby apartment and struggle to make ends meet. They are exploited by the capitalist system, which pays them low wages and forces them to work long hours. They are also influenced by the materialist culture, which makes them desire expensive and luxurious goods they cannot afford. They are alienated from their true selves, as they have to sacrifice their most distinctive and personal features, Jim’s watch and Della’s hair, to buy commodities. They are also alienated from each other, as they must keep their gifts and sacrifices secret until the last moment. Their gifts, instead of expressing their love and appreciation, become symbols of their folly and waste.
However, the story also suggests that Jim and Della are partially corrupted by capitalism and its effects. They still value their love and relationship more than anything else, and they are willing to give up their possessions for each other’s happiness. They also show a sense of humour and irony when they realize the absurdity of their situation, and they do not blame or resent each other for their mistakes. They can transcend the materialism and alienation of capitalism and find joy and meaning in their simple and humble lives. They are, in the narrator’s words, “the wisest” and “the magi”, who understand the true spirit of Christmas and the true value of human gifts.
The story, therefore, can be read as a critique of capitalist society and its impact on human values, but also as a celebration of the possibility of resistance and redemption within it. Jim and Della are both victims and heroes of capitalism, who suffer from its injustices and contradictions, but also challenge its logic and norms. They are examples of how the proletariat can overcome the alienation and materialism of capitalism and create a new culture of love and solidarity. They also foreshadow how the proletariat can eventually overthrow the capitalist system and create a socialist society where everyone is equal and free.
Textual Support
To support this analysis, we can use specific quotations from the story that illustrate the themes of sacrifice, love, and materialism. For example:
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