A Retrieved Reformation

Jimmy Valentine’s appearance is a key motif in “A Retrieved Reformation.” Why does Ben Price call him “Dandy Jim Valentine” (2)? How do Jimmy’s looks and style influence events in the story?

Over the course of the story, Jimmy has several different identities: “Valentine, 9762,” James “Jimmy” Valentine, and Ralph D. Spencer. How do events in “A Retrieved Reformation” signal Jimmy’s switching from one identity to another?

O. Henry’s dryly humorous tales are considered an example of Realism, a literary movement dedicated to depicting stories of everyday life. How does “A Retrieved Reformation” reflect the tenets of Realism? What are some details that fix the story in a specific time and place?

Irony is O. Henry’s trademark, and “A Retrieved Reformation” is rich in both verbal and situational irony. Discuss O. Henry’s use of both types of irony and their effect on the story’s tone and plot.

Price is a dedicated police officer who spends considerable time and effort trying to bring Jimmy to justice. Yet when he has the opportunity to arrest Jimmy, he makes a different decision. Why does he make that choice, and what does it reveal about his character?

In the final scene, Jimmy looks at Annabel “with a queer, soft smile on his lips” (4). Later, he greets Price “still with his strange smile” (4). Why does Jimmy smile in this way?

As Jimmy walks away after freeing Agatha from the vault, “he thought he heard a far-away voice that he once knew” (4) calling him. Why is Annabel’s voice described in this way? What does this description indicate about Jimmy’s relationship with her and to his life in Elmore?

Who is Mike Dolan? Why is he important to Jimmy’s story?