Term paper

“Comparative study between Della from “The gift of Magi” and the wife from

“Cat in the rain”.

Course Title: Improving Reading and Writing Skills

Course Code: ENG155

Section: 02

Submitted To:
Nazia Pervin Shefa
Lecturer
Department of English

Submitted By:
Mithila Ghosh Arpa (2022-2-40-022)
Shariful Islam (2022-2-40-005)
Israt Jahan Tamanna (2022-2-40-021)

Date of Submission: 05.09.2023

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“Comparative study between Della from "The gift of Magi" and The wife from "Cat in the

Rain".

The story ''Cat in the Rain'' is a short story written by Earnest Hemingway and "The Gift of
Magi" is another story written by O. Henry.Both stories have a female protagonist and both
women explore the theme of marriage but in different ways. ”Cat in the Rain” portrays a dull
and unhappy married life and the desire for freedom from that relationship while, the "The gift
of Magi" highlighted the selfless love and the devotion that is possibly found in a strong and
loving relationship. Though the wife's financial condition was better than Della's, their attitudes
were different towards their husband . Though they have obstacles in their way,both protagonists
are determined to fulfill their wishes.

"The Gift of the Magi" was published in the early 20th century by O. Henry who was a prolific
writer known for his witty and clever short stories that often had surprise endings. "Cat in the
Rain" was published in 20 th century by Ernest Hemingway,who was a literary giant of the 20th
century, known for his concise writing style and his masterful portrayal of complex emotions
through seemingly simple narratives.

Both "The Gift of the Magi'' and "Cat in the Rain" feature dissatisfied female protagonists
struggling in their lives. Della Young in "The Gift of the Magi" is a young woman who has lack
of financial stability but wants to give her husband a special Christmas gift, while the American
wife in "Cat in the Rain" is on vacation in Italy with her husband but feeling like a caged bird
and expecting care, attention and freedom.

Mithila Ghosh Arpa

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In "Cat in the Rain", The story revolves around the marriage between George and his American
wife, who is unnamed, while they are staying in a hotel in Italy. This is not an ideal marriage
where the couple is happily in love, raising a family, or living life to its fullest. Hemingway
portrays how the American wife struggles with her desires of affection, love, femininity and
communication through the symbolism of her interpersonal and intrapersonal conflicts. The
reason behind the unhealthy relationship between the American couple was that, in the
post-World War I time, the psychology of American people was disturbed.They were
emotionally detached couple and barely speak to each other.Her husband, George, has no interest
in her most of the time he kept himself busy by reading books.He gets annoyed at her behavior.
On the other hand,when the hotel-keeper brought the cat for her she felt happy and significant .
The wife wants a companionship, that's why she was desperate to get a kitty. Again it proves
they're an emotionally barren, isolated couple. The "cat" in the story is also a symbol of
psychological imprisonment, insecurity, lack of independence and love in marriage. Her husband
was so dominating, not caring or affectionate. The wife was asking for material things which also
connotes that she was demanding for freedom. The war monument, the cat, the things that the
wife desires - long hair. silverware, candles, all those express that they were going through
communication complex issues. They have no love for each other , and without love no
marriage can be happy.

Mithila Ghosh Arpa

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On the other hand, "Gift of Magi" is a classic Christmas Story where della and jim were so
desperate to buy gifts for each other.They were financially poor but madly in love. On Christmas
Eve, Jim and Della exchange gifts and realize that they have both sold their most treasured
possessions to buy gifts. They have sacrificed their most valuable thing just to make each other
happy. It is really a beautiful love story with a precious and important message. It ends with the
storyteller comparing both gifts to the gifts of the Magi. Magi were the three wise men who are
said to have brought the first Christmas gifts to the baby Jesus. Anyone can make a conclusion
about their foolish characters. Because they gave up their most valuable possessions and were
left with completely useless items. They had to sacrifice their most precious belongings in order
to get these gifts. Thus they showed that their love was far more valuable to them than any such
things. Therefore we should make the right impression about them as their gifts are displaying
powerful themes of love, sacrifice, generosity and hence the concept of true value and worth.
The story also shows the true meaning of wealth, which is not in material possessions but in the
love and connection between them.It teaches that Life is full of sniffles, sobs and smiles.

There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl (Henry,The
Gift of the Magi). Della, the protagonist of "The Gift of the Magi," who is deeply in love with her
husband Jim. Della is a loving wife and she wants to make her husband happy, even if it means
sacrificing her most prized possession. Della is very proud of her hair, as described in the story:
"Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang
out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts." Her
unconditional love for her husband leads her to sacrifice her most beloved hair.

Shariful Islam
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The American wife wants to be loved and appreciated by George, but there's precious little
evidence of that in their marriage. George barely acknowledges her existence and gives the
impression that she's little more than a source of irritation. Restless and dissatisfied with life, the
American wife craves a sense of stability, the kind of which she cannot get in her current
marriage. The old-world charm of the Italian hotel in which she and her husband are staying
provides her with a tantalizing glimpse of the kind of life she craves. More than anything else,
she just wants to settle down, rather than the itinerant lifestyle she seems to be leading at present.

In both stories, the women are searching for something that will make them happier. Della thinks
that buying Jim a gift will make him appreciate her more, while the Wife thinks that having a cat
will fill the emotional gap in her life.

● The main difference between the two characters is their attitudes towards their married
life. Della is deeply in love with Jim and was prepared to sacrifice anything for him. In
contrast, the Wife is unhappy in her married life and searching for something outside of
her relationship to fulfill her emotional needs. Della's actions in "The Gift of the Magi"
implies her commitment to her marriage, while the Wife's actions in "Cat in the Rain"
reflects how dissatisfied she is in her relationship.

Ishrat Jahan Tamanna

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The characters of Della and the Wife respectively, represent two different perspectives on
married life. Della represents the commitment and sacrifice that is important to maintain a
healthy and loving relationship, while lack of care and attention damages the relationship of
that wife. Della remains optimistic and hopeful and believes that love is worth more than
material possessions.The Wife is lonely and unfulfilled woman who is dissatisfied with her
marriage.Both characters illustrate complexities of married life and the importance of
communication, commitment, and sacrifice in maintaining a healthy relationship.

In conclusion, the comparative study between Della and the wife shows that both characters
have some similarities but also differ in significant ways. "The Gift of Magi" explores the themes
of love and sacrifice and generosity, while "Cat in the Rain" deals with the themes of isolation
and longing. This comparison highlights the complexity of human nature and the different ways
approaching problems and fulfill their marriages

Shariful Islam
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WORK CITED

a.https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-gift-of -the-magi/characters/della

b.https://literaturexpres.com/sketch-the-character-of-della/

c.https://interestingliterature.com/2022/ 04/cat-in-the-rain-characters/

d.https://www.litbug.com/2022/09/04/a- cat-in-the-rain-summary-and-analysis/

e.https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-gift-of-the-magi-by-o-henry-summary-theme-irony.html

f.https://www.britannica.com/biography/O-Henry

g.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_in_the_Rain

h.https://interestingliterature.com/2022/04/cat-in-the-rain-themes/

i. Keene, Jennifer D. "Why World War I Matters In American History | The American Historian"

Oah Org, https://www.oah.org/tah/issues/2015/february/why-world-war-i-matters-in-

american-history/

j.https://www.englishliterature.info/2022/02/prose-style-in-a-farewell-to-arms.html?m=1

k.https://www.ipl.org/essay/O-Henry-And-Romanticism-PJNVCWAY2R

l.https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/w

omen-early-mid-20th-century-1900-1960-introduction