Would you be willing to give up something you love for someone you love? In the short story "The Gift of the Magi" written by O' Henry. The main character was faced with this same dilemma. Everyone agrees that Della greatly desired to give a gift to her husband, Jim, for Christmas; however, some feel Della should not cut her hair and sell it for Jim's gift, while others feel the exact opposite; Della should cut and sell her most valuable possession so that Jim can have a nice Christmas.
Della should cut her hair for these three reasons: Jim's occupation, Jim, and love.
The first reason Della should cut her hair is that Jim's occupation implements them to survive in New York; which is a pretty expensive city by the way. The author made several points that Jim is working and providing for them both. As unfortunate it is; Jim's income was reduced by 10 dollars a week but never the less there is still an income every week. Della is also able to cook because Jim's job provides for food. " At 7 O'clock the coffee was made the frying pan on the back stove hot and ready to cook the chops" I believe the author was showing his audience that even with a low income they are able to survive. Not to mention Jim also went shopping for Della's gift on his way home from work. …show more content…
Della had less to sacrifice but still gave up her most valuable possession for her husband. O' Henry explained in the short story that Jim and Della only two valuable possessions were Jim's grandfather watch and Della's beautiful knee length hair. The setting of the story was placed during the Christmas season. Della still did not have a gift for Jim. When Della was desperate with only $1.28 for a gift; she decided to sell her hair for twenty
Della should cut her hair for these three reasons: Jim's occupation, Jim, and love.
The first reason Della should cut her hair is that Jim's occupation implements them to survive in New York; which is a pretty expensive city by the way. The author made several points that Jim is working and providing for them both. As unfortunate it is; Jim's income was reduced by 10 dollars a week but never the less there is still an income every week. Della is also able to cook because Jim's job provides for food. " At 7 O'clock the coffee was made the frying pan on the back stove hot and ready to cook the chops" I believe the author was showing his audience that even with a low income they are able to survive. Not to mention Jim also went shopping for Della's gift on his way home from work. …show more content…
Della had less to sacrifice but still gave up her most valuable possession for her husband. O' Henry explained in the short story that Jim and Della only two valuable possessions were Jim's grandfather watch and Della's beautiful knee length hair. The setting of the story was placed during the Christmas season. Della still did not have a gift for Jim. When Della was desperate with only $1.28 for a gift; she decided to sell her hair for twenty