Irony helps to develop a theme of selflessness in the short story “The Gift of the Magi” as O. Henry reveals the misfortune behind the story. Near the conclusion of the story irony is frequently used to show the pure misfortune of the tale. Since Jim “sold the watch to get the money to buy [the] combs”, and “the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone” it’s easy to see the pure misfortune and irony of the situation (Henry, 5). However, through this misfortune we also see another theme arise: Selflessness. Jim’s watch and Della’s hair were their most prized possessions, and they both sold them to buy a gift for their beloved spouse. This represents a theme of selflessness within itself, but the irony of the situation
