Describe one of the symbols in "The Gift of the Magi." Explain how the author uses this symbol to convey the theme of the story.

Symbolism is used in "The Gift of The Magi," as Dellas hair and Jims watch. Her hair and his watch are their most prized possessions in this story. They both use these items to symoblise another thing; love. They sold their prized posessions to get enough money to afford the gift they wanted to get each other for the upcoming holiday, Christmas. Symbolism is not the only literary element that O. Henry used in this story. Irony is another key element in, "The Gift of The Magi." Irony and coincidence go hand in hand for this story. The irony is that Della sold her hair to get enough money to buy Jim, his gift (the platinum fob chain for his watch). While Jim sold his watch to get money to afford his gift to Della (turquoise combs and hair accesories for her hair). They realize what they've done at the end of the story, and it becomes clear to them that it doesn't matter about the gifts they get for eachother, but the fact that they have eachother. The greatest value they have; is eachother.