Character of Della in “The Gift of the Magi.

Answer

Sketch the character of Della in “The Gift of the Magi.”

Della Dillingham Young is the central female character in O. Henry’s (1862-1910) famous short story “The Gift of the Magi” (1905). Della is a young, loving, and selfless wife. Her actions drive the story forward. Her personality, emotions, and sacrifices make her a loving wife everyone would desire. Here, we take a closer look at Della’s character.

A Loving and Devoted Wife: Della’s love for her husband, Jim, is the foundation of her character. She thinks about his happiness all the time. She is willing to sacrifice anything to make him feel loved. Her devotion is evident in her desire to give Jim a Christmas gift. She wants to give his husband a precious gift:

Something fine and rare and sterling—something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim.

This shows how highly she values Jim and wants to make him feel special despite their poverty. Moreover, Della becomes happy merely thinking about giving her husband a Christmas gift. The narrator says,

Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him.

Della delights in the planning and anticipation of doing something nice for her husband. It fills her with pleasure. It shows how much she loves him.

Selfless and Sacrificial: Della’s selflessness is one of her defining traits. To buy a meaningful gift for Jim, she decides to sell her most prized possession—her long, beautiful hair. The narrator describes her hair as her “crown of glory.” Her hair is so valuable that the narrator likens it to the treasures of the Queen of Sheba. Yet, Della does not hesitate to cut her hair, as her love for Jim is far more valuable than her own appearance. This act of self-sacrifice highlights her deep love for Jim. She prioritizes his happiness over her own.

Sensitive: Della is portrayed as highly emotional and sensitive. When she realizes she has only saved $1.87 for Jim’s gift, she feels hopeless and bursts into tears. Her emotional nature reflects her intense desire to express her love for Jim. However, she also shows determination by deciding to sell her hair.

Determined: Della’s ability to act decisively and creatively is another key aspect of her character. After crying over her lack of money, she quickly comes up with the idea to sell her hair to Madame Sofronie’s shop. This resourcefulness is fueled by her determination to find a gift that truly reflects her love for Jim. Her actions show that she does not allow her financial situation to limit her capacity for love and affection.

Vulnerable and Cute: Although Della is confident in her love for Jim, she is momentarily insecure about her appearance after cutting her hair. She prays silently that Jim will still find her attractive. She asks”

I’m me without my hair, ain’t I?

Her hope and belief in Jim’s love reassure her that her sacrifice will be appreciated.

In conclusion, Della is a remarkable character who embodies the themes of love and sacrifice. Her selflessness, emotional depth, and devotion to Jim make her a timeless symbol of unconditional love. As the narrator reflects, Della’s act of giving makes her one of the “wisest” givers. She is comparable to the biblical Magi.