Question

In about one hundred words, discuss the theme "Sacrifice is a virtue to be valued" as it relates to "Gift of the Magi." Provide evidence from the story that supports this theme.

Answer 1

In the gift of the Magi, both Della and Jim sacrifice their most prized possessions for each other. When Christmas is right around the corner, Della has no money to buy her husband an amazing gift. She explains how although neither she nor Jim have a lot of money, they do have two things they are proud of. For Della, it's her beautiful hair, and for Jim, it's his family heirloom, a watch. Della sacrifices her hair and sells it in order to get Jim the perfect gift, a chain that is to match with his watch. When Jim finally comes home for Christmas, he is surprised by how she cut her hair off. it turns out that Jim too sacrificed his watch to get her the perfect gift as well. He got her a beautiful set of hairbrushes that cost him a fortune. But now, Della has no hair to brush, and Jim no watch to match the chain with.

Answer 2

In the story, "Gift of the Magi", Della sacrificed her hair to buy her husband a platinum fob chain for his watch as her Christmas gift to him. Unknown to her, James sold off his watch to buy her a set of combs she has been lusting upon for so long.

Both items were of great value to each of them but they each sacrificed it to buy gifts that they believe will give happiness to each other and to show how much they love one another.

Sacrifice is a virtue to be valued because it is one way of expressing deep love to your loved ones. You would rather suffer a bit of self-disappointment to make your love ones happy.