Question

Read the following excerpt from “The Gift of the Magi” and answer the question.

For there lay The Combs--the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jewelled rims--just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair. They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone.

But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hair grows so fast, Jim! And them Della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried, "Oh, oh!" Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held it out to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit."Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You'll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it."

Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled."Della," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on."

The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

What character trait is revealed about Della in the passage above?

She feels it is important to dress with modesty.
She has the ability to overlook wrongs in order to preserve relationships.
She has the ability to be unselfish and loving.
She is prone to fits of passion.

Answer 1

I'm doing "The Gift of the Magi” in class, I haven't done this question yet butt i would chose C.She has the ability to be unselfish and loving.

Answer 2

She has the ability to be unselfish and loving.

Step-by-step explanation:

O Henry's short story "The Gift of The Magi", the theme of unselfish love and dedication between the two characters is revealed. The characters of Jim and Della sacrificed their utmost desires for their own selves and rather thought about the happiness and need of the other person. And through their act of unselfish love and concern, they missed both of their gifts, thus aptly titled "The Gift of the Magi".

While trying to get each other the perfect Christmas gift amidst their low financial condition, both Della and Jim bought a surprise gift which turns out to be invalid for them. But through their act of thinking about the other person before themselves, they showed that their "wise' nature of being unselfish and sacrifice for the other person.

Even though Jim bought her the Comb that is not usable for her short hair, Della showed her ability to be unselfish and rather appreciated her husband's act. This is evident in the lines "the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone. But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile". Through this act of appreciating his effort, Della showed that she treasured his gift and that she loves it.