Question

read this sentence about della from \the gift of the magi.\
once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.
what theme do della’s actions in this sentence best suggest?

• sacrifice is more important than true love.
• sacrifice for a loved one is not always easy.
• sacrifice is part of a life lived to the very fullest.
• sacrifice for a loved one does not always pay off.

Explanation:

In The Gift of the Magi, Della is crying as she prepares to sell her most prized possession (her hair) to buy a gift for her husband. Her tearful hesitation shows that the sacrifice she is making for her loved one is emotionally difficult, not a simple or easy act. The other options are inconsistent with the text: the story centers on loving sacrifice, not that sacrifice outweighs love, that it equals a "full life," or that it fails to pay off.

Answer:

Sacrifice for a loved one is not always easy.