Question

What does Jim buy for Della? (from The Gift of the Magi)

a) Hair combs
b) A locket
c) A better wedding ring
d) Gets their china out of pawn
LAS​

Answer 1

a) Hair combs

Step-by-step explanation:

"But if you’ll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first.” White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper. And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat. 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 jeweled 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."

Answer 2

a) Hair combs.

Step-by-step explanation:

O. Henry's short story "The Gift of the Magi" revolves around the selfless acts of a young couple who felt the desire to fulfill the other person's wishes overlooking their own. Their selfless acts of love make them one of the magi who came bearing gifts to Lord Jesus when he was born in the manger.

Christmas was approaching and the young couple hardly had enough to live. But they both knew they wanted to make sure the other did not go without any gift for the festive season. So, while Della sold her hair to get a gold chain for Jim's watch, Jim sold his watch to get "The Combs—the combs that Della had seen in a shop window and loved for a long time. Beautiful combs, with jewels, perfect for her beautiful hair". And it was this act of selfless sacrifice for one another that made them give such wise gifts was what made them like the magi.