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There is dramatic irony in the story from the outset, as it is clear Jim is unaware that Della is about to cut her hair off. The narrator builds suspense around Della’s actions by highlighting her emotional state. Her impulsivity as she rushes out the door to sell her hair and the description of her shopping trip as one of intoxicated bliss foreshadow that her actions may have unintended consequences. The tone of suspense increases as Della gets home and attempts to fix her hair as she flies back and forth between excitement over presenting Jim his gift and worry that he will react negatively. Della goes so far as to worry that Jim will kill her, leaving the question of just how exactly Jim will react up in the air. The suspense builds to a crescendo as every moment of Jim’s arrival home is documented from the detail that he is never late, to the noise of his step on the stair, to the little prayer Della says to herself hoping Jim still finds her pretty. Even once he arrives, his reaction is not immediately clear, and Della anxiously perseverates on her inability to read his expression. The suspense continues as Jim’s shock over her haircut is too unreadable to indicate displeasure or some other emotion. The dramatic irony builds as Jim presents Della with the combs as he is still unaware that she has purchased him a watch chain. It concludes with the twist revelation that Jim has rendered both gifts useless by selling his watch to buy the combs. However, the twist revelation is paradoxically predictable, as it is apparent throughout the story that events will conclude this way.

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