In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," is Della's character dynamic or static?

A static character is one who does not change his or her mind or opinion throughout a story. A dynamic one does. Characters usually undergo a dynamic change when they learn a lesson that contradicts what they believed in the beginning. Della is a dynamic character because she learns a valuable lesson about the price of love.

Della is a young newlywed who feels the weight of her husband's salary being cut from $30.00 a week to $20.00. Della only has $1.87 to spend on a Christmas gift for Jim, which she does not feel is not sufficient to buy a proper gift for her husband. As a result, she cuts and sells her hair to buy him a more expensive gift—a gold chain to match his gold watch. She discovers her husband sold his watch to buy her tortoise shell combs with bejeweled rims for her hair. Jim reacts by saying,

"'Dell,' said he, 'let's put our Christmas presents away and keep ’em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.'"

The irony in this scene provides a setting for Della to learn Jim loves her more than he cares for expensive gifts. He doesn't get angry; he chuckles. By selling his watch to buy the beautiful combs, Jim proves he is willing to sacrifice material objects for Della's happiness. He values Della's happiness more than his prized possession. Therefore, Della is a dynamic character because she learns she didn't have to sell her hair to obtain money to buy her husband an expensive gift—their love for each other is enough.

Why is Della in "The Gift of the Magi" considered a dynamic character?

Della in “The Gift of the Magi” is considered a dynamic character because she develops over the course of the story. A dynamic character is one who undergoes a significant internal change. Della transforms from a passive, vain girl into a proactive, mature woman.

At the beginning of the story, she behaves like a helpless victim. Initially, she collapses in woe because she does not have enough money to purchase a Christmas present for her husband Jim.

There was nothing to do but fall on the bed and cry. So Della did it.

Even after she stops weeping and climbs out of bed, she acts pitiful and resigned to her sorry fate of poverty. Despite scrimping for months, she managed to save only $1.87.

Everything had cost more than she had expected. It always happened like that.

Della also is vain about her appearance, especially her prized long, brown hair.

If a queen had lived in the rooms near theirs, Della would have washed and dried her hair where the queen could see it. Della knew her hair was more beautiful than any queen’s jewels and gifts.

Yet while gazing at herself in the mirror, she starts to change; instead of lamenting her situation, she scrutinizes her tresses, is inspired by an idea, and resolves to take action. Della quickly puts on her coat and hat and runs outside. She spots a sign:

“Mrs. Sofronie. Hair Articles of all Kinds.”

Up to the second floor Della ran, and stopped to get her breath.

There, she decisively solves her problem—her lack of money. Della sells her beloved locks. Right after her hair is cut off, she demands the payment of $20.00 and continues on her mission.

“Give it to me quick,” said Della.

Oh, and the next two hours seemed to fly. She was going from one shop to another, to find a gift for Jim.

After finding the perfect present for Jim, Della returns home determined to address the new problem of her short haircut.

She began to think more reasonably. She started to try to cover the sad marks of what she had done.

Instead of wasting time to mourn the loss of her hair, Della actively works hard to ameliorate the situation.

Within forty minutes her head looked a little better. With her short hair, she looked wonderfully like a schoolboy.

Before Jim arrives home, Della prays that he will still find her pretty. When he does arrive home and looks at her strangely, Della does not cry but assertively states,

I had my hair cut off and sold it. I couldn’t live through Christmas without giving you a gift. My hair will grow again. You won’t care, will you? My hair grows very fast.

Instead of collapsing and begging her husband for forgiveness, she explains why she sold her hair and, more importantly, wisely reassures him (and herself) that her hair will grow back quickly. When she sees that Jim bought her the combs she coveted for so long, she briefly laments the loss of her ability to wear them due to lack of long tresses. Very quickly, though, she recovers and sagely reemphasizes,

My hair grows so fast, Jim.

Della’s maturity allows her to enjoy Jim’s gift of the combs and to comfort him.