Question

Read the excerpt from "The Gift of the Magi."

Answer 1

Answer:

In this excerpt, Jim's character is developed:

A. Indirectly, through his lack of action.

Explanation:

"The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by American author O. Henry first published in 1905. Jim and Della, the characters, are a married couple. They have no money to buy each other gifts, so they both make sacrifices. However, what one sacrifices interferes in the gift of the other. Della sells her hair to buy a beautiful chain for Jim's watch. Jim sells his watch to buy beautiful combs for Della's long hair.

In the excerpt we are analyzing here, Jim's character is developed through his lack of action. We do not know what he is thinking or feeling. He does not say or do anything. He just stands there, and that is enough to build tension. This is the moment he sees Della's short hair for the first time. Della and the readers are anxious about his reaction, but the reaction does not come.

It is only later that we understand he was speechless because he realized the gifts they had bought for one another could not be worn by any.