A Retrieved Reformation Questions
Investigate, Inquire, and Imagine
1a. What advice does the warden give Jimmy just before Jimmy is released from prison? How does Jimmy respond to the warden?
The warden tells Jimmy to "make a man of yourself" and to "stop breaking safes open". Jimmy reacts as if he had never broken a safe open in his life.
2a. What does the clerk hand to Jimmy as he is released from prison? What does Jimmy do with it?
The clerk gives Jimmy money to pay for his trip to a city near the prison and they give him five more dollars to help him become a better man. Jimmy uses the money to go to a restaurant and eat real food, give money to a blind man and then catch a train to a city three hours away.
3a. What happens to Jimmy in front of the Elmore Bank?
In front of Elmore bank, Jimmy lays eyes on the daughter of the bank owner. He starts to develop a crush on her.
1b. Why do you think the warden offers this advice? Do you agree with the warden? Why do you think Jimmy responds the way he does? Do you think the warden believes Jimmy's response? Do you believe Jimmy's response?
I think he gives Jimmy the advice hoping that he will actually listen. Yes, I agree with the warden. I think that Jimmy responds that way to make the warden believe he's innocent. No, I don't think the warden believed Jimmy. No, I think Jimmy opened the safe in Springfield.
2b. Do you think Jimmy has a good chance of changing his life immediately after his release from prison? Why, or why not? What would make it easier for Jimmy to get an honest start?
I think Jimmy has a shot of turning his life around because he could've taken the advice from the warden. It would make it easier for him by giving up his tools and not communicating with any partners that may persuade him back into his old life
3b. Do you think this is the only thing that changes Jimmy Valentine? Explain.
No there are many things that change Jimmy. For example some are that he has a new life and he has given up the life of crime.
4a. Identify what you think is the main or central conflict in "A Retrieved Reformation." Is the main conflict between Jimmy and the prison system? Jimmy's new life and his past life? Jimmy and Ben Price? Explain.
I believe that the main conflict for Jimmy is making sure no one in Elmore finds out about his old life so it doesn't mess up his new life.
4b. Based on your analysis of the central conflict in the story, what is the point in which that conflict gets resolved? In other words, what finally ends the conflict? Is it when Jimmy falls in love? When Jimmy writes the letter to Billy? When Ben Price pretends not to recognize Jimmy? Why does this event resolve the conflict?
I think the conflict is ended when Ben Price pretends that he doesn't know Jimmy because after that no cop will come looking for him and it's basically over.
5a. What reasons does Jimmy give for his new and honest life in the letter he writes to Billy. Do the reasons seem genuine? Explain.
Jimmy states that he has a new life because he is going to be married to a wonderful girl and his shoe shop is doing good. I think that the reasons he gives are genuine.
5b. What do you think Jimmy's relationship with Annabel offers him that he didn't have before? If Jimmy hadn't met Annabel, how else do you think he could have found the qualities that would make him want to live an honest life? Do you think he would have found them had he not met Annabel? Explain.
I think it offers him new family and friends. He would've stuck to the shoe shop business. No I don't think he would've found them.
Understanding LiteratureCharacter and Characterization. Who is the protagonist in this story? Who is the antagonist in this story? Categorize each of these characters as one-dimensional or three-dimensional, and explain why. Identify some examples of O. Henry's use of characterization in the story. Does he use all three techniques of characterization? Does he rely on one technique more than the others? Explain.
The protagonist is Ralph D. Spencer (jimmys new life) and the antagonist is Jimmy (old life). O Henry uses direct charcterization towards Jimmy and indirect charcaterization towards Jimmy. No he doesn't rely on the technique because he lets the story just give little hints here and there.
Verbal Irony. Look back through the story and complete your graphic organizer. For each example of verbal irony, note what you think the true meaning is and how it adds to the story. In general, how does O. Henry use verbal irony in this story—to create humor or to make a point? Explain your answer.
Henry uses irony when Annabel takes Jimmys bag full of tools and says that it feels like it is full of gold. This shows irony because he uses the tools she's carrying in the bag to steal money(gold)
Writer's Journal1. Imagine that you are Ben Price before he meets up with Jimmy Valentine in the town of Elmore. Write the copy for a wanted poster for the capture of Jimmy Valentine. What important clues will you include on the poster to help citizens recall whether they have seen Jimmy Valentine anywhere and thereby help the police capture him?
Wanted: Jimmy Valentine
************picture*************
Description: young looking
Wanted for the theft of over $1500 from safes
2. Imagine that you are Jimmy Valentine sitting in your cell after you have just been told that you'll be released from prison soon. Write an outline or a long narrative list of what you want to do once you are free. Do you want to go back to committing burglary? Do you want to make a fresh start? If so, how will you do it? Can you think of a way to make a fresh start that doesn't involve burglary?
When I get out of here I would like to start my life over. I want a fresh new start. I also want to do everything below:
- pay back everyone I stole money from
- get a hard working job
- live life to the fullest
3. Create a character sketch for Jimmy Valentine. Note details about his physical appearance, the way he talks, his personality, events in his life, and any significant changes in his personality or behavior.
- young looking man
- has stolen more than $1500
- shoe shop owner
- changes: has become a better man through a year
- kind personality
- married to Annabel Adams
Vocabulary1. I once had a ___________________ that left my muscles very weak.
Convulsion
2. The ___________________ he received for stealing the cash seemed fair to me.
Retribution
3. He ___________________ left the theater in the middle of the movie.
Unobtrusively
4. We listened to each candidate's ___________________ before casting our vote.
Platform
5. She ___________________ greeted the guests, happy to show off her new house.
Genially
6. I knew he was angry, yet he maintained a __________________ smile.
Eminent
7. I wanted a __________________ to help me plan the party.
Confederate
8. He received no __________________, even though he'd never gotten in trouble before.
Clemency
9. She ___________________ looked over her exam before turning it in.
Assiduously
10. In our grade, Ralph became ___________________ for his superior math abilities.
Specious
Language, Grammar, and Style1. accessible
Correct
2. cellar
Correct
3. bussiness
Business
4. ocurrance
Occurrence
5. orchestera
Orchestra
6. symbol
Correct
7. deceatful
Deceitful
8. presteage
Prestige
9. lightning
Correct
10. artical
Article