Question

In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi," despite loving her long hair, Della cuts it and sells it. What motivated her to take this step?

Answer 1

https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/1-the_gift_of_the_magi_0.pdf

Re-read the story, paying special attention to pages 1-2. There's a reason why she needs the money and would be willing to sell something so important to her.