Final answer:
The resolution of 'The Gift of the Magi' reveals the main characters' acts of love through their ironic gift exchanges, symbolizing the true essence of gift-giving and the deeper understanding of their love.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Resolution of 'The Gift of the Magi'
The resolution of O. Henry's classic short story The Gift of the Magi unfolds when Jim and Della Young, the main characters, reveal their Christmas gifts to each other. Both have sold their most prized possession to buy a perfect gift for the other: Della sells her beautiful long hair to buy a platinum fob chain for Jim's heirloom watch, and Jim sells his watch to buy ornate combs for Della's hair. The irony in their selfless acts of love highlights the story's overarching theme that the true value of gift-giving lies in the sentiment behind the gesture, not the material gift itself.
Through this twist ending, readers are shown that despite their material sacrifices, Jim and Della have gained something much more valuable: a deeper understanding of their love and devotion for one another. The resolution emphasizes the moral of the story, conveying that the wisdom they have acquired from their actions is indeed the real gift—the magi's gift, alluding to the wise men who brought precious gifts for the newborn Jesus, in selfless acts of giving.