Della cuts her hair to sell to pay for a wonderful gift for her beloved partner, Jim. At the beginning of O. Henry’s short story, “The Gift of the Magi,” Della is very poor and she does not have the money necessary to buy Jim a suitable Christmas present.
When she finds out how much money her hair will fetch, she makes the decision to chop it off and sell it to the local hairdresser. Through her decision to sacrifice her long hair and use the money to buy a gift for Jim, Della demonstrates the true spirit of selflessness and sacrifice of love.
What does cutting Della’s hair symbolize?
Cutting Della’s hair in O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi” symbolizes Della’s selflessness and willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for her husband. In the story, Della sacrifices her most prized possession, her beautiful long hair, in order to make enough money to purchase a watch chain for Jim, her husband’s most treasured item.
This action speaks to the depth of their love and devotion to one another, as she is willing to do whatever necessary to show her love and make him happy. Moreover, sacrificing her hair symbolizes a certain level of maturity, as she is able to put aside her own needs and desires in order to provide for her partner.
The story emphasizes the value of love and the importance of having the courage to do what is necessary to make the people you care about the most happy.
Why is Della’s hair extremely valuable?
Della’s hair is an extremely valuable asset to her because it is her only source of income. She sells it to Madame Sofronie, who then uses the hair to make wigs for wealthy individuals. Della does not have a steady job, so she relies on this source of income to make ends meet.
Her hair is incredibly long and beautiful, making it the ideal ingredient for high-quality wigs. The money she earns from selling her hair allows her to purchase food, clothing and other necessities.
Della’s hair is also a part of her identity—a symbol of her own strength and beauty. Despite her situation, Della takes pride in her hair and uses it to feel empowered and hopeful.
What does Della Beautiful hair tell about?
Della Beautiful hair is a line of products designed to help people get beautiful, healthy hair. The line includes shampoos, conditioners, hair treatments, styling products, and other products to help people achieve the look they want for their hair.
All of the products are formulated with natural, high-quality ingredients such as shea butter, coconut, sweet almond, and more. The products are made with natural fragrances and free of sulfates, parabens, and irritants.
The line promises to nourish and hydrate the hair while offering gentle styling solutions. As a result, people can enjoy beautiful hair that is also healthy and well-cared for.
Why did della feel so proud of her hair?
Della felt so proud of her hair because it was beautiful and full of life. She had been growing it for years and it had become her crowning glory. It was dark and thick and carefully styled, and she received many compliments whenever she wore it down.
For Della, her beautiful hair was a symbol of her strength and her ability to take care of herself. It provided her with a sense of confidence and self-worth that made her feel beautiful and powerful.
She was proud of her hair because it was a reflection of her inner strength, and a reminder that she was worth taking care of.
What is Della hair compared with?
Della’s hair is often compared to spun gold because of its beautiful golden color. The fullness and luster of her hair are often highlighted as it is usually described as thick and shiny. Many poems and songs have been written throughout the years celebrating the beauty of her hair, which is truly unmatched.
Even the strong wind struggling to undo the coils of her locks has failed, making her hair an impressive sight. It is often styled in a variety of ways, enabling her to show off its magnificent beauty to the world.
Overall, Della’s hair is a shining example of beauty, grace, and power.
What simile is used to describe Della’s hair?
The narrator compares Della’s hair to a “dump of copper turnings” in the story. This simile is used to emphasize how beautiful and remarkable Della’s hair is–slightly shiny, golden in color, and thick enough to obscure any glimpse of her neck.
It captures the sheer magnitude and thickness of her long, golden locks. The image of the “dump of copper turnings” conveys the idea of an abundant scenery that contains every bit of brilliance and color that copper can offer.
In this way, the narrator emphasizes how her hair was one of her only sources of beauty and was a remarkable sight to see.
Why did Jim react so strangely when he saw Della had cut her hair?
Jim reacted so strangely when he saw Della had cut her hair because he was surprised and overwhelmed with emotion. He had been planning on using the money he was saving up to buy her a set of combs he knew she wanted as a Christmas gift.
He was devastated that she had used her hair to make the money for his gift, representing a great sacrifice on her part. He was filled with love, admiration and gratitude for Della, recognizing the love and thought she had put into her selfless act.
The extreme emotions he was feeling likely caused him to react in the strange manner he did.
What is Jim’s reaction to Della’s hair?
Jim’s reaction when he first sees Della’s hair is one of awe and admiration. He looks at her with a mixture of amazement and love, knowing that this gorgeous new look was created solely for him. He is overwhelmed by the lengths Della has gone to in order to give him a present that she assumed he would love and appreciate.
Jim is deeply touched by her thoughtfulness and selflessness, showing him how much she loves him and how much time and effort she put into buying this special gift. He goes up to her and wraps his arms around her, telling her that she has outdone herself and that he loves her new look.
This moment is one that they both cherish and use to reaffirm their love and commitment to each other.
Why was Jim shocked after he saw his wife?
Jim was shocked after he saw his wife because it was the first time he had seen her since she left him. It had been five months since she had left and he had begun to doubt if he would ever see her again.
When he did see her again, it was totally unexpected and he was completely taken by surprise. On top of that, it was clear that she had changed in terms of her physical appearance and her attitude, which only added to the shock.
In the moment, he was both immensely relieved and immensely confused, and felt like he had been punched in the gut with the emotions of the situation.
What reaction does Della think Jim will have to her short hair?
Della is well aware that Jim is not going to be happy when he finds out that she has cut her hair. She is likely expecting him to react with shock, anger, and hurt that she did something so drastic without consulting him first.
She knows that he cherishes her beautiful hair and will be devastated to see her without it. She also worries that his initial reaction may be to lash out in anger or frustration at her for making such a drastic decision without consulting him.
Della is also concerned that seeing her in such a significantly different way may make Jim feel as if he lost part of what it is that attracted him to her in the first place. All in all, Della is expecting Jim to be quite upset when he finds out that she cut her hair and she is bracing herself for a difficult reaction from him.
What was Jim’s reaction when he returned?
When Jim returned after his long and difficult journey, he was exhausted but filled with a sense of accomplishment. He had been away for weeks and, despite the hardships faced along the way, he had completed his quest.
His face lit up with joy and relief when he saw his family and friends waiting to welcome him home. He was overwhelmed with emotions and could hardly believe the success of his mission. He hugged and thanked everyone who had helped and supported him, sharing his gratitude for their unwavering faith and guidance.
He was positively elated to know that his hard work and dedication had finally paid off.
What did Della tell Jim on her hair being sold?
Della told Jim that she had sold her long, glossy, beautiful hair for twenty dollars in order to buy him a Christmas present. She explained that she had gone to a dealer and sold her hair for the full price of twenty dollars, which was a considerable amount of money for her at the time.
In the same moment, she said that she knew he would be mad, but she was happy to be able to give him such a special present. Della reminded him that it was only hair and it would grow back soon and she wanted it to be a surprise for him on Christmas.
Della said that she wanted to show him how much she loved and appreciated him, which is why she sold her hair. She asked him to forgive her, since she had done it out of love and it meant so much to her.
How is Della’s hair described?
Della’s hair is described as being luxurious and immensely long. It is said to have grown down to her knees, and to be golden brown in color like the the sun. The narrator of the story claims that it is so long, that it could be wound up twice around her head.
He also mentions how when it was brushed out and put in a net, it looked like a web of gold. Della expresses great pride in her hair and does her best to maintain it, to the point where she is willing to sell it in order to purchase a beautiful watch chain for her beloved husband’s Christmas present.
How does Jim feel about della after he discovers her new haircut?
When Jim discovers that his wife Della has sold her hair to purchase a watch chain for him, he is overwhelmed with emotion. He is incredibly touched by the selfless sacrifice she has made to give him a gift for the holidays.
He is filled with admiration for her sacrificial act of love and gratitude for her kind gesture. He realizes that she has gone to such a great length to express her love for him. He is deeply moved and falls even more deeply in love with her, as he is reminded of how strong and loyal their love for each other is.
He is very thankful for Della’s thoughtfulness and kind heart. He knows that she will always put him first, no matter the cost.
