Essay, Research Paper: Gift Of Magi And Necklace

Rob Reynolds
In the short stories "The Gift of the Magi", and "The Necklace" there are many
things that can noticed that are similar. The settings of these two stories are very similar:
first of all, they both occur around fall or winter. They also occur around the turn of the
century. Both of the families are middle to low-class. There are little, if any differences in
settings, except for that they most likely occur in different towns.
In "The Necklace " and "The Gift of the Magi", the plots are in many ways different.
In "the Necklace", a lady wants to wear nice clothes and jewelry to a party. She borrows a
diamond necklace from a good friend and loses it. She and her husband take out loans and
buy a new one with real diamonds. After years of poverty from paying for the necklace,
the couple discovers the diamonds are fake in the original necklace. In "The Gift of the
Magi", a woman sells her hair to buy her husband a watch chain, only to come home to
find that her husband sold his watch to buy her some hair combs. There are many
similarities, though: the women in both stories need to get something and get it, only to
end up with something worse than before. The plots of these stories are good to contrast
and compare, because they have so many similarities, but at the same time they are so
different.
There aren't many similarities in the theme of these stories at all. They teach totally
different lessons. For example: "The Necklace" teaches you to tell the truth about things
when they're your responsibility, and don't try to cover them up. "The Gift of the Magi"
teaches you not to give up your most valued items for someone, because its the thought
that counts. The only similarity is that both themes are valuable lessons to learn in life.
I believe these two stories are very alike and different at the same time. They are very
good stories, and I recommend you read both of them. They teach you valuable lessons in
life while at the same time entertaining you. "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Necklace"
are great stories, and reading them is a great way to pass the time.