In the stories, “The Necklace” and “The Gift of the Magi”, the authors use situational irony to develop the theme of each story. The author uses irony to develop the theme of honesty in the story, “The Necklace”. In the story, “The Gift of the Magi”, the author uses situational irony to develop the theme of, possessions do not mean as much as the person behind them.
In “The Necklace”, the author, Guy de Maupassant, uses situational irony to show the theme of honesty in the story. Madame Louisel had been very grateful that Madame Forestier had lent her a necklace. When she had found out she had lost the necklace, instead of being honest, she went on a search to find a new one. Madame Louisel had spent many years after, paying off the price of the diamond necklace. She was described as, “…an old woman… she became…
Both Della and her husband Jim, both had been saving up their money to buy each other Christmas presents. Neither of them had quite enough. Della, had sold her hair, whereas Jim, had sold his watch. Towards the end of the story, there is an example of foreshadowing. “The magi brought valuable gifts that was not among them. This dark assertion will be illuminated later on.” This gives you an idea that something is going to happen When Jim had come home, he realized what she had done. He began to tell her that her Christmas present was a set of combs and they now could not be put to much use for a while. Della, had gotten him a chain for his watch which he had sold. “Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the wisest. Everywhere they are the wisest. They are the magi.” This quote shows that even though their gifts are of no use right now, being with each other is a good enough gift over all. At first they were both disappointed, but then realized that gifts are not what matter but having each…
