Does this essay show internal conflict? The Gift of the Magi

A couple sacrifices their most precious things to buy each other gifts.

This is a story about a poor couple who gave up their most beloved possessions to buy a Christmas present for each other. They both tried hard, but in the end they both ended up not being able to use the gifts that they got for each other. In, "The Gift of the Magi", O. Henry demonstrates internal conflict through both the descriptive language used to portray the character's inner turmoil and their complexed plot.

The character’s internal conflict comes across when Della made up her mind to cut her own precious hair to have enough money to buy Jim a watch chain for his present. – Where she stopped the sign read: "Mne. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds." – One flight up Della ran, and collected herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the "Sofronie." "Will you buy my hair?" asked Della. – In spite of the claim that Della cut her hair, she was very worried if Jim would like her haircut or not.

Internal conflict is shown when Jim sold his watch to buy Della a set of combs for her present. – Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled. "Dell," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present.”– He was sad because he sold his watch without knowing that Della got him a watch chain.

Internal conflict is also shown where the characters showed how much they loved and cared for each other more than anything else. – “You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor. "Cut it off and sold it," said Della. "Don't you like me just as well, anyhow? I'm me without my hair, ain’t I?" – "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. And now suppose you put the chops on." – They both sold their precious things they had to buy each other a Christmas present.

O. Henry used specific word choices and the plot where he showed the character’s inner struggles that they went through to buy each other a present. Through their selfless actions and the character’s internal conflict, Jim and Della both showed how true love can overcome any obstacles. Though they weren’t able to use the gift they got, they still know that they both did everything they could to buy each other the gifts and they are both thankful to have each other by their side.