M6A1 The Gift of the Magi.docx - Running Head THE GIFT OF...

Running Head: THE GIFT OF THE MAGI 1
The Gift of the Magi
Denero Tagaloa
Excelsior College

THE GIFT OF THE MAGI 2
The Gift of the Magi is a short story that was originally published in 1906 in the
collection of short stories called The Four Million (American Literature, n.d.). The Gift of the
Magi according to the American Literature (n.d.), is his most famous short story. The story is
about a married couple who was short on funds to buy each other Christmas presents. With their
love for each other, they are willing to do whatever to afford a Christmas gift.
The Gift of the Magi was written by O. Henry, who is an American short story writer. He
was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1862 under the name William Sydney Porter
(American Literature, n.d.). He started writing when he was 40 years old in New York City,
where he wrote 381 short stories (American Literature, n.d.). He is well known for his smart,
plot-twisting endings, and creative ways people resolve awkward and difficult situations. The
Gift of the Magi is the perfect example of his styles.
The Gift of the Magi style is informal and oral as if someone is reading it out loud. O.