Skip to main content

How would you describe and analyze the love between Jim and Della in "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The primary way Della and Jim show love for one another is through sacrifice. Della sacrifices her long, beautiful hair to get enough money to buy a special gift for Jim. Meanwhile, Jim sacrifices his family heirloom pocket watch to get enough money to buy a special gift for Della. Each one "sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house."


Before Della has the idea to sell her hair to get money for...

The primary way Della and Jim show love for one another is through sacrifice. Della sacrifices her long, beautiful hair to get enough money to buy a special gift for Jim. Meanwhile, Jim sacrifices his family heirloom pocket watch to get enough money to buy a special gift for Della. Each one "sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house."


Before Della has the idea to sell her hair to get money for Jim's gift, she was filled with disappointment. She cries because she only had $1.87 to spend on her husband's present. She wants to buy Jim a special Christmas gift and is sad and disappointed when she does not have enough money to do so.


Other evidence of their love is in the story. At the beginning, O. Henry wrote that, despite their financial difficulties, Jim was "greatly hugged" by Della each day when he returns home from work. After Della gets home from buying the gift for Jim, she looks in the mirror and begins to regret her decision to cut her hair. Jim loves Della's long hair, which was capable of "rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters." She worries Jim will no longer find her pretty. When he arrives home, Jim reassures Della that no "haircut or a shave or a shampoo... could make [him] like [his] girl any less." Della realizes Jim loves her and thinks she is pretty even without her long hair.


Della and Jim each sacrifice something precious to give a gift as an expression of love. O. Henry shows their love through their willingness to sacrifice.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more