The Gift of the Magi

Style and Technique

The Gift of the Magi is a classic short story by American writer O. Henry, known for its unexpected plot twist and irony. The author employs a descriptive yet concise style, creating vivid images of the main characters and conveying the atmosphere of early 20th-century New York. A distinctive feature of the story is O. Henry's masterful use of dialogue, which seems to reveal the inner world of the characters to the reader. Literary devices such as irony and paradox help emphasize the main theme of the work—self-sacrifice and love. The structure of the story builds towards a climax that unfolds in the finale in an unexpected and instructive manner, leaving a profound impact on the reader.