The Necklace And The Gift Of The Magi
"The Necklace" and "The Gift of the Magi" are two classic short stories that have captured the hearts of readers for many years. Both of these stories depict the struggles of ordinary people to find happiness in their lives. In this article, we will explore the themes and symbolism of both stories, and how they relate to our lives today.
The Necklace
"The Necklace" is a story by Guy de Maupassant that tells the story of a woman named Mathilde Loisel who is obsessed with wealth and social status. Despite her husband's modest income, Mathilde dreams of a life of luxury and elegance. One day, her husband manages to get an invitation to a fancy ball, and Mathilde buys a beautiful dress and borrows a diamond necklace from a wealthy friend to wear to the ball. However, after the ball, Mathilde discovers that she has lost the necklace. She and her husband spend years paying off the debt they incur to replace the necklace, only to find out that the original necklace was a fake, and their sacrifices were for nothing.
The theme of "The Necklace" is the danger of obsessing over material possessions and the importance of being content with what we have. Mathilde's obsession with wealth causes her to take drastic actions to appear rich, ultimately leading to her downfall. The necklace symbolizes the materialism that consumes Mathilde's life, and the fake necklace symbolizes the emptiness of her dreams.
The Gift of the Magi
"The Gift of the Magi" is a story by O. Henry that tells the story of a young couple, Jim and Della Young, who are struggling financially. They want to give each other Christmas gifts, but they only have a few dollars to spend. Della sells her long hair to a wig-maker to buy Jim a chain for his pocket watch, while Jim sells his watch to buy Della a set of combs for her hair. On Christmas Eve, they exchange their gifts, only to realize the sacrifices they have made for each other.
The theme of "The Gift of the Magi" is the power of love and selflessness. Jim and Della's love for each other is so strong that they are willing to sacrifice their most prized possessions to make each other happy. The gifts they give each other symbolize their love and the importance of putting others' needs before our own.
Conclusion
Both "The Necklace" and "The Gift of the Magi" are timeless stories that teach us valuable lessons about life. They remind us that material possessions are not the key to happiness, and that true happiness comes from love and selflessness. We can apply these lessons to our own lives by focusing on what truly matters, and by being grateful for what we have.