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what the story reveals about how love affects Jim and Della. How does love motivate the actions of both characters? What message about love would you identify as the story’s theme? Support your writing with text evidence.

1 Answer

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It appears that you are referring to "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. In this story, Jim and Della are a young couple who deeply love each other but face financial hardships. The story reveals how their love for one another profoundly influences their actions and choices.

Love drives Jim and Della, motivating them to sacrifice for their partner. Della's love for Jim compels her to find the right Christmas gift for him. This is even if it means selling her most prized possession, her beautiful long hair. The text states, "She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated" (O. Henry, "The Gift of the Magi"). Della's love pushes her to find a way to express her affection and make Jim happy, regardless of her sacrifice.

Similarly, Jim's love for Della drives him to find a meaningful present for her. He sells his most treasured possession, his pocket watch, to purchase a set of combs for Della's hair, not realizing that she had cut and sold her hair to buy a fob chain for his watch. The story states, "Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy" (O. Henry, "The Gift of the Magi"). Jim's love leads him to seek a gift that enhances Della's beauty and makes her happy, extending beyond material possessions.

The theme of the story is selfless love's transformative power. Despite their financial limitations, Jim and Della show that love can inspire sacrifice and generosity. The story illustrates that true love is not measured by material possessions but by the willingness to give up something valuable for the other person's happiness.

In summary, the story "The Gift of the Magi" reveals how love profoundly impacts Jim and Della. Love motivates them to sacrifice for each other. The story's theme highlights the transformative power of selfless love and the importance of meaningful gestures over material possessions.

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User Dphans
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