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“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
O. Henry’s classic Christmas story, “The Gift of the Magi” (1905), tells the story of a young married couple, James and Della, who have very little money yet selflessly sacrifice so they can buy each other gifts on Christmas Eve. The story shows that gifts from the heart often outshine material treasures. The story shares a New York setting with “The Last Leaf” and includes parallels with its main characters. These characters face financial constraints but possess a deep and selfless love for each other. They prioritize the needs and desires of their partners over their own. Both stories’ twist endings have surprised the intellects and warmed the hearts of readers for over one hundred years. “The Gift of the Magi” has been adapted to films, plays, songs, TV shows, children’s books, online videos, and video games. Homages and parodies of the story have appeared in diverse media, from Sesame Street to Hallmark Movies, from The Simpsons to Fargo.
“A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner
In “A Rose for Emily” (1930), Faulkner tells the story of the recently deceased Emily Grierson. Through flashbacks, readers learn about the reclusive woman, who has lived alone and unmarried for decades in her family’s grand home in the post-Civil War American South. Although Miss Emily is the object of the town’s intense scrutiny, she remains mysterious and unknowable. She holds dark secrets that are revealed only on her death. The story deals with themes of isolation, tradition and radical change, and the power of death. The story’s ending may rival O. Henry’s twists, but in a much more macabre manner.
“The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin
Kate Chopin first published “The Story of an Hour” in Vogue magazine in 1894. In the story, the young but weak-hearted Louise Mallard receives news of a railway disaster that has taken her husband’s life. Louise experiences ambivalent feelings—love and loss, sadness and joy, guilt and freedom. The story’s shocking ending includes a masterful use of dramatic irony, since readers understand more about Mrs. Mallard than the story’s other characters. Through Louise’s internal conflict, Chopin addresses the repressive roll that marriage played at a time when women were still considered to be the lawful property of their husbands.
