A Psychoanalytical Study of the Gift of Magi

Society and literature are closely connected with each other like two inseparable cords in a musical instrument. Short story, as a minor genre in literature, narrates the stories of people we are directly or indirectly connected with in relation to their nature. Short story has emerged as one of the powerful tools for making commentary on human life. O’ Henry, an American short story writer, has written over 300 stories. His stories are featured by twists of plots and surprise ending. It is rightly stated in the preface in one of his books of stories by a critic that he (O. Henry) should always occupy a unique place in American fiction writing. He deserves to be rediscovered by each succeeding generation of readers and scholars. Readers can find variety of themes in his stories which bring novel perspective to the life. The Gift of Magi is one his stories that revolves around a husband, his wife and their devoted conjugal life. A very heart touching story which highlights delicate relationship between Jim, the husband and Della, the wife. The story can be studied in the light of psychology as both the characters are in dilemma about the gift to be presented each other on the occasion of Christmas. It reveals those corners of minds where unconditional love remains in its purest form. The research paper is meant for unravelling the unexplored aspects of human mind in terms of Psychology and what Sigmund Freud refers to . To study spousal relationship depicted in the story is one more intention of the research paper.