Della The Magi

Della’s possession is her alluring extremely long hair. In the olden times, women would grow their hair long as a custom. Although, the fact that Della’s hair was much more stunning than a queen’s, is unmistakably true. In the story, the author states that if the queen of Sheba were to see Della dry her hair over the window, the queen would most definitely be in envy. Della’s hair is more beautiful than the queen’s jewellery.

Jim’s possession is his gold watch. This watch was passed down from his grandfather and father. The accessory is extraordinary indeed, for if a king of any sort dwelled with the James Dillingham Youngs, his riches would not out value Jim’s watch. In conclusion, Della’s hair and Jim’s watch are very valuable
to them.

In “The Gift of the Magi,” Jim gives Della expensive pure tortoise shell combs with jewelled rims.
This is ironic because the reader and Della do not know what gift she would receive. The result is a controversy over what the reader would expect. Della sold her long hair already so the reader would not predict Jim to gift her combs. In the following quote: “With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company. Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he uses in place of a chain,” Della anticipates that Jim would be pleased with the expensive platinum fob chain and use it for his watch. At this point, we would not think that Jim’s gold watch is sold for the combs. Della sold her long hair already so the reader would not expect Jim to gift her combs. Hence, Jim’s gift to Della is ironic because the reader would not expect expensive
combs.

Cited sentences: “It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation as all good things should do. It was even worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim’s. It was like him. Quietness and value--the description applied to both.“

In the above lines, Della describes the platinum fob chain and Jim. She states that the chain is simple but pleasing which made it seem valuable. The chain and Jim are similar to Della; they both possess quietness and value. I think that Della uses quietness to convey that they are silently pleasing and remarkable. To Della, Jim is very significant to her. The chain possesses value which suits Jim well, which is taken into her consideration. This reveals her strong devotion towards Jim as her word choices represent how valuable he is. If Della did not love Jim, then she would’ve given him a cheaper gift and would not have sacrificed her long beautiful hair. Since Della uses positive adjectives, we can assume that Della does not hate Jim. Therefore, the word choices reveal that Della loves Jim.

Della and Jim are both like the Magi because they gift each other valuable objects.
The Magi were wise men who brought valuable gifts to baby Jesus since Jesus was extremely significant to them. In the quote: “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,” the author restates that Della and Jim have given up their prized possessions for each other. Della bought Jim a valuable platinum chain as Jim gifted Della expensive combs. Both of the presents are very precious. The Magi gave baby Jesus gifts because he was idolized and respected by them. Della and Jim are madly in love with each other so I think that they are both ‘the Magi’ towards each other. The lovely couple and the Magi both give gifts to the person they are committed towards. Della and Jim both sacrificed something very dear to them just to bring a valuable present to their significant other. In conclusion, Della and Jim’s actions are very similar to the
Magi.