The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry is a short story that depicts the lives of a poor young couple, Jim and Della, who try to buy each other meaningful Christmas gifts with their limited money. They end up sacrificing their most prized possessions, Jim’s gold watch and Della’s long hair, to buy gifts that are rendered useless by their respective sacrifices. The story is often interpreted as a celebration of selfless love and generosity. Still, it can also be read as a critique of capitalist society and its impact on human values. Marxism According to Marxist theory, capitalism is a system that divides society into two classes: the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production and exploit the workers, and the proletariat, who sell their labour and receive a fraction of its value. Capitalism also creates a culture of materialism, where commodities are valued more than human relationships and needs. Marxists believe capitalism alienates workers from their true selves, creative potential,...