The theme is the message of the story that builds as it goes on. In Henry’s story,” The Gift of the Magi,” Della and her husband James are in poverty. They can’t afford each other a present for Christmas. They sell their most valued items to get each other quality gifts. Henry reveals the theme in this story by using irony and characterization.
Irony is the unexpected outcomes. “ I had my hair cut off and sold because I could not have lived through Christmas without giving you a present.” (page 3) Della sold her hair for a gift for her loved one. This revels the theme that she would rather give than get. Della sacrifices her beautiful hair for something that she thinks Jim values most his watch. The irony is that Della