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Overview
Published in 1906 as part of the short story collection The Four Million, “The Gift of the Magi” is O. Henry’s most well-known short story
. Set contemporaneously to its publication date, the story depicts a poor young couple’s struggle to give each other a valuable gift on Christmas Eve. It is known for its ironic ending and its structure as a bittersweet parable. A popular and prolific short story writer, the O. Henry Prize was established in his honor in 1919. It is presented annually to exceptional short stories.
