The Gift of the Magi

Della, the protagonist of the story, is a young housewife who, despite her careful budgeting, hasn’t saved enough money to buy her husband Jim the Christmas present that she feels he deserves. The natator says, “She had put it aside, one cent and then another and then another, in her careful buying of meat and other food. Della counted it three times. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas” (1). She despairs because she has no way to earn money.

Della is creative and resourceful, and in their tiny apartment, she hatches the plan to sell her hair, something frowned upon in the upper levels of society, to buy Jim a present. Della’s sacrifice isn’t easy, and she struggles with her grief. Cutting her hair makes her question her self-worth, her position in society, and the depth of Jim’s love for her. Her sacrifice illustrates that she is loving and giving but also young and impetuous.