A Retrieved Reformation by O. Henry Study Guide

O.Henry and "A Retrieved Reformation"

• "A Retrieved Reformation" was first published as "A Retrieved Reform" in The Cosmopolitan in 1903.
• The story is an example of Realism, a literary movement popular in the US and Europe between the end of the American Civil War and the early 20th century.
• Realism focuses on the everyday lives of ordinary people, using detailed descriptions and colloquial dialogue.

Author Background

• O.Henry, whose real name was William Sydney Porter, was a prolific American short story writer.
• Porter spent several years in prison for embezzlement, where he began writing as O.Henry.
• Events in "A Retrieved Reformation" were inspired by Porter's real-life experiences.

O.Henry's Writing Style

• O.Henry's stories are characterized by wit, realistic detail, and ironic plot twists.
• He wrote over 600 stories, including famous works like "The Gift of the Magi" (1905) and "The Ransom of Red Chief" (1907).
• Many of O.Henry's stories feature surprise endings, similar to "A Retrieved Reformation."

"A Retrieved Reformation" Adaptations

• The story has been adapted for stage and screen multiple times, including a Broadway play in 1910 and several film versions.
• A radio series called Alias Jimmy Valentine aired from 1938 to 1939.
• A 1985 PBS American Playhouse production, "Valentine's Revenge," included an additional segment depicting O.Henry's inspiration for the story.

O.Henry's Impact

• O.Henry had a significant impact on the literary world.
• The O.Henry Award is named after him and is awarded to short story authors.
• The PEN/O.Henry Prize Stories is an annual collection of the 20 best short stories published in American magazines.

Story Setting and Plot

• The story takes place in the early 1900s in Elmore, Arkansas.
• Jimmy Valentine is released from prison after serving 10 months of a 4-year sentence.
• He sets out to resume his criminal career, using his signature safe-cracking method.
• Ben Price, a detective, recognizes Jimmy's work and determines to arrest him again.

Jimmy's Transformation

• Jimmy meets Annabel Adams, the daughter of the local bank owner, and undergoes a deep transformation.
• He decides to start a new life in Elmore, opening a shoe store and becoming engaged to Annabel.
• Jimmy writes to his friend Billy, saying he's gone straight and planning to move West.

The Bank Vault Crisis

• Ben Price arrives in Elmore to arrest Jimmy, but a crisis unfolds when Annabel's sister accidentally locks her younger daughter in the bank's new burglar-proof vault.
• Jimmy uses his skills to open the vault and save the girl, revealing his true identity as Jimmy Valentine.
• Ben Price recognizes Jimmy but allows him to go free, enabling Jimmy to start a new life.

Study guide for 'A Retrieved Reformation', a short story by O. Henry, exploring themes of Realism and everyday life.