Valentine's Transformation in Early 1900s Elmore

Questions and Answers

What is the setting of 'A Retrieved Reformation'?

Elmore, Arkansas, Early 1900's, begins in prison

What is the mood of the story?

Hopeful

Why is Valentine in prison, and why is he pardoned?

He is in prison for 'cracking safes' and pardoned because he has 'many friends on the outside'.

How does Valentine support himself after he gets out of prison?

He goes back to crime as a 'safe-cracker'. Signup and view all the answers

At what point in the story does Valentine become another man, and what causes the change?

When he looks into the eyes of the banker's daughter; a sudden attack of love changes him. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Valentine use his old talents once again?

When his fiancé Annabel's niece is accidentally locked in the vault, he risks his new way of life to free her. Signup and view all the answers

List three details that support the idea that Valentine has really changed.

<ol> <li>He abandons his plan to rob the bank in Elmore. 2. He remains in town & opens a successful shoe store. 3. Writes a letter to an old friend admitting to change & arranges to give away his burglary tools.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Ben pretend not to know Jimmy?

Ben observes that Jimmy has changed his life and wants to allow the reformed criminal to continue leading an honest life as Ralph D. Spencer. Signup and view all the answers

What happens in the introduction of the story?

Jimmy is pardoned from prison and given a railroad ticket and a $5 bill to 'rehabilitate' himself. Signup and view all the answers

What key events occur during the rising action?

He goes back to robbing banks, goes to Elmore/ sees Annabel, signs his name as Ralph D. Spencer, owns a shoe store, gets married, writes a letter to friend saying he plans on giving away his tools; done with 'that life'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the climax of the story?

Agatha gets locked in the new vault and Jimmy makes a choice. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in the falling action?

Jimmy opens the safe, revealing his skill set as a safecracker, risking his future with Annabel. Signup and view all the answers

What is the resolution of the story?

Saves Annabel's niece; Ben Price acts like he doesn't know Jimmy, allowing him to continue living his new reformed life. Signup and view all the answers

What point of view is the story told from?

Third person limited. Signup and view all the answers

What is the theme of 'A Retrieved Reformation'?

'No matter what you have done in your past, you can start over. Sometimes you have to do the right thing, even if it means possibly losing everything.' Signup and view all the answers

What conflict is primarily present in the story?

Man vs. Man (Ben Price & vulnerable banks vs. Jimmy Valentine); Man vs. Self (Jimmy Valentine vs. Ralph Spencer in his decision to reveal his true identity). Signup and view all the answers

Explain the title of the story, 'A Retrieved Reformation'.

In saving the girl, Valentine throws away his new identity, and Ben Price retrieves that identity by keeping Valentine's true identity a secret. Signup and view all the answers

Why is this story considered to have a 'surprise ending'?

Because Jimmy is never formally accused of the crimes he committed since his release from prison. Signup and view all the answers

What character type is Jimmy Valentine?

Round and dynamic, as he shows different traits and reforms from a thief to an honest citizen. Signup and view all the answers

What character type is Ralph Spencer?

Dynamic, as he transforms from hiding his identity to becoming a reformed man. Signup and view all the answers

What type of character is Ben Price?

Static and flat; he maintains his principles throughout and is portrayed as a one-dimensional detective. Signup and view all the answers

What type of character is Annabel?

Flat and static; she is seen mainly as the love interest with limited character development. Signup and view all the answers

What type of character is Annabel's father?

Flat and static; he is depicted mainly as a banker/loving father without much change. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the rose in the story.

Ralph asks Annabel for the rose because he knows he's returning to Jimmy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's purpose/moral of the story?

There is inherent worth and goodness in the human spirit, which can cause a person to change. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central idea of the story?

Romantic idea that people are essentially good; Jimmy's inherent goodness leads him to save the child. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Setting

Takes place in Elmore, Arkansas during the early 1900s, starting in a prison environment.

Mood

The mood is hopeful, emphasizing the potential for change in individuals.

Valentine’s Imprisonment

Jimmy Valentine is imprisoned for "cracking safes."
He receives a pardon from the Governor due to his connections and friendships outside the prison.

Post-Prison Life

After release, Valentine initially resumes his life as a safe-cracker.

Transformation Moment

Valentine undergoes a significant transformation when he gazes into the banker's daughter's eyes, leading him to forget his criminal past.

Return to Skills

Valentine utilizes his old skills to rescue Annabel's niece when she gets accidentally locked in a bank vault, jeopardizing his new life.

Evidence of Change

Valentine’s transformation is supported by three actions: he abandons an armed robbery plan, opens a successful shoe store, and plans to give away his burglary tools.

Ben's Deception

Ben Price pretends not to recognize Jimmy, believing in his reform and allowing him to continue living as Ralph D. Spencer.

Introduction

The story begins with Jimmy being pardoned and given money and a ticket for starting over.

Rising Action

After prison, Valentine attempts bank robbery again but falls in love with Annabel and starts a new life in Elmore.

Climax

The climax occurs when Agatha gets locked in a vault, forcing Jimmy to make a critical choice that could expose his past.

Falling Action

Jimmy's skill in opening the safe reveals his past as a criminal and puts his future with Annabel at risk.

Conclusion

Jimmy saves Annabel's niece, and Ben prices decides to ignore Jimmy's past, allowing him to lead a reformed life.

Point of View

The story is told in third person limited, primarily focused on Jimmy/Ralph without his direct narration.

Theme

The central theme is about redemption and the possibility of starting anew, emphasizing doing the right thing despite potential risks.

Conflicts

Features two main conflicts:
- Man vs. Man (Ben Price vs. Jimmy Valentine)
- Man vs. Self (Jimmy's struggle between his identity as a thief and a transformed man).

Title Explanation

The title reflects Valentine’s loss of his new identity upon saving the girl; Ben Price's action retrieves that identity by keeping Jimmy's past a secret.

Surprise Ending

The story concludes with a twist, as Jimmy is not formally accused of any crimes after his release.

Character Analysis: Jimmy Valentine

Jimmy is a round character with a dual personality as both a charismatic thief and a man seeking redemption; he experiences dynamic change throughout the story.

Character Analysis: Ralph Spencer

Initially a deceitful persona, Ralph becomes dynamic as he reforms his character through love for Annabel.

Character Analysis: Ben Price

A static character who embodies moral integrity by ultimately allowing Jimmy to escape his past.

Character Analysis: Annabel

She is a flat and static character portrayed as beautiful and kind, representing love but lacking depth in development.

Character Analysis: Annabel's Father

Also flat and static, he is depicted only as a banker who loves his daughter without significant growth throughout the story.

Symbolism of the Rose

The rose symbolizes Jimmy's return to his true identity, similar to themes in "Field of Dreams."

Author's Purpose

Underscores the idea of inherent goodness in humanity and the capacity for personal change.

Central Idea

Promotes the romantic notion that people possess intrinsic goodness, as demonstrated by Jimmy’s selfless act to save the child, supported by the love of Annabel and Ben’s kindness.

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Description

Explore the journey of Jimmy Valentine, a safe-cracker imprisoned in Elmore, Arkansas. This quiz delves into his transformation from a life of crime to one of hope and redemption inspired by love and responsibility. Test your understanding of the themes and character development in this gripping narrative.