As in the case of the Magi, it’s what the gifts symbolize that’s more important than the gifts themselves. The Magi were the three wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. They had travelled many miles and gave unselfishly to a child. This act of love is mirrored in the story “The Gift of the Magi”.
How are Della and Jim the wisest of all who give and receive gifts?
Jim and Della’s gifts were the wisest because each gave the other what he or she held most dear in order to give the other what he or she valued most. … Although it was foolish for these two to sell their most prized possessions when the other person just wanted them to have each other, their gifts were wise in a way.
Why are Jim and Della the wisest?
Della and Jim are wise, because they each sacrificed something they loved for a gift for someone they loved more than the sacrifice itself. … They were foolish because they did not even ask each other what they wanted and they waited to the last minute to get a gift.
What are the two most important things to Della and Jim?
Della did not have a personal item she valued, but she valued her beauty, especially her hair. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim’s gold watch that had been his father’s and his grandfather’s. The other was Della’s hair.
How does Della prove her love for Jim?
In “The Gift of the Magi,” Jim and Della prove their amazing love one for the other. Della desires to buy Jim a platinum chain for his golden watch. Jim’s watch is an heirloom, passed down to him by his grandfather. Della decides to sell her long, beautiful hair to buy Jim a chain for his watch.
Who made the biggest sacrifice Jim or Della Why?
Della and Jim both made a sacrifice that was the most they had to give. Della was extremely proud of her hair and Jim was very sentimental about his watch.
Why did Jim say they’re too nice to use now?
The presents are indeed “too nice” to use “at present,” because both Jim and Della are now unable to use them. Della has sold her hair and so cannot use the combs, and Jim as sold his watch, and therefore is unable to use his new fob for his watch because he has sold it to gain the combs for Della.
Why is the story called gift of the Magi?
The title of the story refers to the three “wise men” or magi who are supposed to have come bringing precious gifts to present to Jesus at his birth. O. Henry used this title because of the idea of precious gifts and the idea of wisdom that the title alludes to.
How much were Jim and Della aware of their economic condition?
Unlock
In O. Henry’s classic short story “The Gift of the Magi,” both Jim and Della are well aware of their depressing financial situation. At the beginning of the story, Della counts her $1.87, which she has managed to save by exercising frugality whenever she does her weekly shopping.
How much money did della have at first to buy Jim’s gift?
She is Della. Della finished her crying and cleaned the marks of it from her face. She stood by the window and looked out with no interest. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a gift.
What did Jim buy for his wife?
What did Jim buy for his wife for Christmas? Jim bought combs with jewels on them, which he got from selling his watch.
Why is Della crying at the beginning of the story?
Della is crying at the beginning of “The Gift of the Magi” because she realizes that the only way that she can raise the money to buy her husband a nice Christmas gift is to cut and sell her hair.
What does Jim’s watch symbolize?
Jim’s gold watch Symbol Analysis. Jim’s watch holds sentimental value for him as well, having been passed down from generation to generation. … The gold in the watch can also symbolize several things, including purity, money (which the couple lacks), inner value, and permanence.
How does Della feel about Jim?
Della believes that Jim’s reaction means that he does not like her hair cut, he does not think she is beautiful anymore, and he will no longer love her. In reality, he was just surprised because it made his present for her worthless. … Della does not have enough money to buy Jim (her husband) a good present.
How does Jim make della feel valuable?
Jim knew that no king had anything so valuable. Jim and Della show their great love for each by selling each of their most prized possessions in order to afford a worthy gift for each other. Della sells her hair in order to buy a “gold watch chain” to go with Jim’s watch.
What did Della buy Jim?
Della buys Jim a watch fob because his watch is his most prized possession. Della and Jim Young do not have much money. Despite this, Della really wants to buy Jim a good Christmas present. She is even willing to sell her hair to get him a nice gift.