"Will you buy my hair?" asked Della. "I buy hair," said Madame. "Take yer hat off and let's have a sight at the looks of it." Down rippled the brown cascade. "Twenty dollars," said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand. "Give it to me quick," said Della. Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim's present. —"The Gift of the Magi," O. Henry Based on Della’s actions and feelings, what theme is best expressed in this passage? Receiving money makes people happy. Making sacrifices for others is unwise because it may not work out well. Sacrificing one’s prized possession is the only way to achieve happiness. Making sacrifices for a loved one can make a person happy.

Refer to explorations in literature for a complete version of the text. in “letter from birmingham jail,” martin luther king, jr., presents the idea that american history includes african americans, too; that is, african americans can claim the same historical heritage as white americans. at the time, this was a radical idea. how does king develop this theme? select each correct answer. he points out the many ways that african americans have contributed to the culture of america. he describes how african americans were present “before plymouth rock” and through many key moments in american history. he argues that african americans would have participated in more events of american history if white americans had been willing to include them. he makes connections between the american fight for independence from britain and the civil rights movement.