What does Della’s action of cutting her hair to buy Jim a gift reveal about her character and her relationship with Jim? What does it show about...

In O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” Della’s action of cutting her hair reveals her self-sacrificing love for her husband Jim.

At the outset of the story, Della is conflicted about how to buy “Her Jim” a worthy Christmas present with only $1.87. After staring out the window, she suddenly looks at herself in the mirror and “let[s her hair] fall to its full length,” musing that if “the queen of Sheba lived” nearby, “Della would have let her hair hang out the window […] just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels and gifts.” Her hair is her prized possession, but Della only “falter[s] for a minute” before selling her hair for twenty dollars. The author spends no time describing regret, and instead Della is completely focused on finding Jim a present.

Even once Della is home and fixing her hair into “close-lying curls,” she does not mourn the loss of her hair and only prays to God that Jim “think[s she is] still pretty.” Della is entirely motivated by her love for Jim.

Check out the character analysis of Della for more support.