Sacrifice In Lather And Nothing Else

In many works of literature authors use objects to show a special significance and to convey a deeper meaning. Throughout the short story, “The Gift of the Magi” Della’s hair represents the sacrifice she makes for the love of her life. In another short story, “Lather and Nothing else” the barber’s razor symbolizes a sacrifice that the barber is not willing to make. During both short stories the characters debate whether to make certain sacrifices and these sacrifices are symbolized by objects. Throughout the short stories, “The Gift of the Magi”, and “Lather and Nothing Else”, the authors use two different symbols to show the sacrifices each character considers.
During the short story, “Lather and Nothing Else” the author uses the razor

Captain Torres is at war with the rebels and the barber thinks he,“had a four-days’ growth of beard, the four days he had been gone on the last foray after our men.”(145) The barber is one of the rebels that Captain Torres is fighting against. The barber could kill the Captain using his razor because they are enemies, but chooses not to. The Barber treats the Captain like a regular customer and thinks, “I would have to shave his beard just like any other, carefully, neatly, just as though he were a good customer, taking heed that not a single pore should emit a drop of blood”(146). The barber decides not to kill the Captain. He contemplates sacrificing his own life to save the lives

Since Della and Jim are struggling financially and don’t have much money, Della decides to sell her hair. Della sells her hair because she wants to have enough money to buy Jim a fob. Before Della goes to buy Jim a gift she is in disappointment and, “Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas”(1). Della and Jim are in a tough financial situation and Della only has one dollar and eighty-seven cents to spend on a present for Jim. Since Della believes that she can’t get a good present with one dollar and eighty-seven cents, she decides to find a way to get more money. The Youngs have two prized possessions and one “was Della’s hair. 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”(2). Della’s hair was one of the Youngs’ most prized possessions so it means a lot for her to give it up. Della is only willing to give her hair up for Jim’s fob because of her undeniable love for Jim. While Della is trying to get money by selling her hair she goes to Hair Goods of All Kinds and speaks to the hairdresser:, “Will you buy my hair?” asked Della. I buy hair said Madame… 20$ said Madame”(2). Della receives money from her hair to buy a present for Jim. Della sacrifices her hair because she want