Love and Understanding in 'The Gift of the Magi'

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Gift of the Magi Assignment One of O.Henry's most famous short stories is a seemingly simple but moving story. It tells us alove story that I personally find remarkable. The mistress of the home, Della had such beautiful hair that "if the Queen of Sheba had lived in the flat across the airshaft, she would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gift." But she is far from royalty in regards to finaces she is on the brink of poverty. It took her several months to save a mere dollar and eighty-seven cents. That being said she wanted nothing more than to buy a Christmas present for her true love and given her circumstances did so by bydisposing of her hair. “Though she was sad before her hair fell down, she did it up again nervously and quickly." Though the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, for her Jim, she went out to trade off her hair for twenty dollars. The next tow hours tripped by on rosy wings. She was ransacking the stories for jim's present." Most people I know who have read the story is moved by Della's love. When she went home with her present, "her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to loveshe knew this sacrifice would bring joy to jim, her true love and was determined to not dwell but to move and do something great. She is a great example of selfless love and the love that ideally all spouses share. To describe the master-Jim, O.henry uses a very special way. When Jim reached home, after making his own christmas sacrice for Della, his true love, found his wife's long beautiful hair had been cut off, in the name of her love for him. Instead of reacting with frustration or anger he laughed at the irony of the situation. So many times we as men are quick

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