The Gift of the Magi

Short Story | O. Henry
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What Were Jim and Della's Two Valuable Possessions, and How Did They Feel Proud of Them?

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What were Jim and Della's two valuable possessions, and how did they feel proud of them?

Or comment on the valuable possessions of Jim and Della in “The Gift of the Magi.”

In O. Henry’s (1862-1910) heartwarming short story “The Gift of the Magi” (1905), Jim and Della Dillingham Young stand as symbols of selfless love and sacrifice. Living in poverty, the young couple treasures two possessions. Della's magnificent long hair and Jim's gold watch. Both end up sacrificing their valuable possessions to buy Christmas gifts for each other.

Della’s Long Hair

: Della’s treasure was her long, beautiful hair, which the narrator describes as her “crown of glory.” It was so long that it reached below her knees and was admired for its beauty. Her hair was like a garment to her. Della felt proud of her hair because it made her feel special and beautiful. The narrator describes her hair as more valuable than all the jewels and gifts of the queen of Sheba:

Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels and gifts.

Jim’s Gold Watch: Jim’s prized possession was his gold pocket watch, which had been passed down to him from his father and grandfather. It was not only a symbol of family heritage but also a rare and precious item. Jim felt proud of the watch because of its sentimental value and how special it was to him. The narrator even compares it to the riches of King Solomon:

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 with envy.

Sacrifice and Love: However, their love for each other was far greater than their attachment to these items. This is why Della sold her hair to buy a chain for Jim’s watch, and Jim sold his watch to buy combs for Della’s hair.

In essence, their sacrifices show that, while they were proud of these possessions, they valued their love for each other even more. This selfless act of giving makes their story so meaningful.

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from The Gift of the Magi