Question

Read the excerpt below and answer the question.

So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.

On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the street.

What is the purpose of the author’s description of Della’s hair and clothing?

Answer 1

The author is emphasizing Della’s poverty as she goes out to buy a gift for Jim.

Answer 2

it is comparing her hair to the rest of her clothes, and allows us to picture how important and beautiful her hair is to her. her hair is shining like a cascade of brown waters, while her clothes are old and bland