What does each line tell us about their character?

1. And now I think we should have our dinner. Jim: he doesn't want either of them to worry or think too much about their new gifts and lost possessions. He just wants them to enjoy Christmas together.
2. Will you buy my hair? Della: she is willing to sacrifice her beautiful hair to be able to buy a nice gift for her husband.
3. I sold the watch to get the money to buy the combs. Jim: he is willing to sell his most prized possession, his watch, to buy Della a nice gift.
4. You've cut off your hair? Jim: he realizes that Della will not need the combs he bought her for a while.
5. Isn't it perfect, Jim? Della: she really wants to make Jim happy.
6. What could I do with a dollar and eighty-seven cents? Della: she doesn't have very much money and she is worried that she can't buy a nice present for Jim.
7. Don't you like me now? Della: she is worried that Jim will not like her with short hair.
8. You won't care, will you? Della: she is worried that Jim will not like her with short hair.

In what order are the lines spoken in the story? (2, 6, 8, 7, 4, 5, 3, 1)

Della is worried that Jim won't think she is beautiful with short hair, but Jim loves her for more than just her beautiful hair and how she looks. If you really love somebody, they are beautiful no matter how they look.

Family

Jim and Della are husband and wife and they love each other. Jim's watch was given to him by his father and has been in his family for many years. Still, he sacrifices it out of love for Della.

Giving

Della and Jim both feel that it is important to give nice gifts to each other to express their love.

Identity

Della learns that Jim loves her for just for being herself, not because of her hair or the Christmas present she buys him.

Because Jim and Della love each other, there is really no need to prove their love by buying gifts for each other. Love is the greatest gift.

Money

Della and Jim sell valuable things to get money to buy gifts for each other, because they are poor.

Sacrifice

Both Della and Jim give up valuable possessions so they can buy Christmas gifts for each other.

Wisdom

Della and Jim were wise because they were willing to make sacrifices to show their love for each other.