Jimmy Valentine Question Answer Class 11 Second Semester
1. “I never was in Springfield in my life!” – Who is the speaker ? Who is he speaking to ? How was Springfield associated to his life? What was the context of this remark?
The speaker is Jimmy Valentine, a specialist in safe-cracking with his exclusive set of burglary tools. The speaker is speaking to the warden of the prison where he has been sentenced to spend four years as punishment.
Springfield was the place where Jimmy Valentine was assigned to crack safe for doing which he got caught.
Believing that Jimmy Valentine was a good fellow at heart, on the day before his release, the warden of the prison advised Jimmy not to crack safes and lead a straight and honest life. To this Jimmy replied that he never cracked any safe in his life and he had never been to Springfield.
2. Discuss ‘Jimmy Valentine’ as an ideal short story.
A short story is a brief work of literature, usually written in narrative prose style. A short story follows a few rules. The story should be simple and must be complete with relevant details from the beginning to the end. The number of characters must be limited. The plot should be interesting with a gripping climax.
O Henry‘s short story ‘Jimmy Valentine’ is about a burglar named Jimmy Valentine, who was infamous for cracking safes. But the chance encounter with a beautiful young lady, Annabel Adams changed him completely. Thus, Ralph D Spencer emerged from the ashes of Jimmy Valentine. He became a successful businessman and killed the Jimmy in him. But seeing Annabel in distress, Ralph D Spencer was forced to get into the shoes of Jimmy Valentine again. To save little Agatha from the vault he had to use his skills in burglary. But, the twist in the tale comes when Ben Price who was in Elmore to catch Jimmy red- handed, despite witnessing the entire episode, refused to recognise Jimmy. The story ended abruptly without giving a hint about what happened after Ben Price let Jimmy go without arresting him. The ending of the story left a lingering effect on the readers’ mind, which is also a characteristic of a good short story. Therefore, ‘Jimmy Valentine’ can be called an ideal short story.
3. … Valentine walked out into the sunshine.”-What exactly happened before Valentine walked out into the sunshine?
Jimmy Valentine, who had served almost ten months out of a four year sentence for cracking safes, received his pardon, signed by the Governor, from the warden. The warden who believed that Jimmy was ‘not a bad fellow at heart, advised Jimmy to stop doing unlawful activities and follow the path of honesty but Jimmy pretended to be innocent. The warden ordered the guard, Cronin, to get Jimmy ready for his release the next morning. On the day of his discharge, Jimmy was given clothes and shoes that the state provided to all the prisoners at the time of their release from prison. The clerk handed him a railroad ticket and the five-dollar bill with which the law expected. him to give up the path of crime and lead a straight life. The warden gave Jimmy a cigar and shook hands with him. After getting chronicled on the books as “Pardoned by Governor, Jimmy finally left the prison and set out for his destination.
4. “There he tasted the first sweet joys of liberty…”-Who is ‘he’? Where and how did he taste sweet joys of liberty? Why was it sweet to him?
In the line mentioned above, “he” refers to Jimmy Valentine.
Jimmy left the prison after receiving his pardon from the warden which was signed by the Governor. Then he went straight to a restaurant where he tasted sweet joys of liberty after almost ten months. These sweet joys of liberty came to Jimmy in the form of a broiled chicken, a bottle of white wine and a cigar which was better in quality than the one the warden of the prison had given him, at the time of his release.
Jimmy Valentine had served about ten months of a four year sentence. Ten months of prison life was too much for a safecracker like Jimmy who had expected to stay there for a maximum period of three months. Moreover, Jimmy had a ‘taste for good society. Therefore, the tough prison life made Jimmy restless and he wanted to experience freedom at the earliest. So after his discharge, Jimmy went directly to a restaurant where he enjoyed a meal of his choice. The whole experience was sweet to him as he was desperately searching for that liberty.
5. “Ben Price investigated the scene of the robberies and was heard to remark…”-Who was Ben Price? What did he say? What did he know of Jimmy’s habits?
Ben Price was a renowned detective. He was well-acquainted with Jimmy’s habits and wanted to catch the safecracker red-handed.
After investigating the sites of the burglaries, Ben Price understood who was the actual culprit. He said that the young skilled burglar, Jimmy Valentine had resumed his business of burglary since no other thief had the capacity of executing the crime with such perfection.
Ben Price was familiar with Jimmy’s habits which comprised of long jumps, quick get-aways, no associates and a taste for good society. Moreover, Ben Price came to this conclusion that, Jimmy was the man behind the robberies since the burglar-proof safes were opened meticulously and all the burglaries followed a noticeably similar craftsmanship displaying the signature style of Jimmy Valentine.
6. “That’s Dandy Jim Valentine’s autograph.”-Who said this and why? How did he come to such a conclusion?
The eminent detective Ben Price said this. When a series of burglaries occurred in various places after Jimmy’s release from prison, a remarkable similarity was noticed in the methods. Ben Price investigated the scenes of robbery and easily detected that all these robberies were done by Jimmy Valentine.
Ben Price came to such a conclusion as he was familiar with Jimmy’s skilful ways of safe-cracking Noticing the combination knob and the tumblers punched out with only one hole at all the crime scenes, Ben Price realised that only Jimmy had the tools to carry out such artful burglaries.
7. “Mr Ralph D Spencer, the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine’s ashes…Who What is phoenix ? Why has the comparison been made ?
Ralph D Spencer is the new identity of the infamous safecracker, Jimmy Valentine. Jimmy with his new identity and a desire to lead an honest life, set up a shoe-store in Elmore.
Phoenix is a long-lived mythological bird that burns itself to ashes and takes rebirth from it.
The phoenix symbolises resurrection. Jimmy Valentine, who is a burglar by profession resolves to lead a straight life after falling in love with Annabel Adams. Like the phoenix, Jimmy gets rid of his old self and from his ashes is bom a shoe-store owner named Ralph D. Spencer. He becomes a prosperous businessman, makes many friends and earns a respectable position in the society. The new reformed self of Jimmy won the heart of Annabel. Annabel has such great influence upon Jimmy that he decides to gift his set of finest burglary tools to one of his friends, Billy and settle down somewhere in the West so that his old life does not haunt him there. Therefore we can conclude by saying that just like the phoenix, the honourable Ralph D Spencer rises from the ashes of the notorious safecracker, Jimmy Valentine.
8. “I wouldn’t do another crooked thing for the whole world.”-Who is the speaker here? To whom did he make this promise and when? Did he keep his promise?
Here the speaker is Jimmy Valentine allas Ralph D Spencer.
He made this promise to himselt while writing the letter to his old friend, Billy, who lived at St Louis. This promise was made just two weeks before his wedding to Annabel, the younger daughter of the owner of ‘The Elmore Bank, Mr Adams.
Yes, he kept his promise. Love and respect had changed his life and he transformed into an honest gentleman. He was forced to use the burglary tools once, but only to rescue Annabel’s five-year-old niece, Agathe, who was locked inside a vault. He did not want to disappoint Annabel so he risked his own happiness to save the child.
9. “I wouldn’t do another crooked thing for the whole world.” What caused the change in his attitude ?
Jimmy Valentine was a specialist in cracking safes with his exclusive set of burglar’s tools. He served ten months in the prison for his crimes. He continued his safe- cracking business even after he was released from prison. But in Elmore, a glimpse of Annabel Adams brought about a sea change in him. He fell in love with Annabel. He felt the urge to lead an honest life so that he could become a suitable match for Annabel. Thus, Ralph D Spencer was bom from the ashes of Jimmy Valentine. He set up a shoe- store in Elmore, prospered, eamed respect in the society and eventually got engaged to Annabel. Therefore, his love for Annabel and his desire to lead a blissfully married life with her, caused the change in his attitude.
10. “That child-she can’t stand it long in there.” Who is referred to here? Why was she in danger? How was she saved?
Agatha, the five-year-old niece of Annabel is referred to here.
Mr Adams had taken his granddaughters, May and Agatha along with his own daughters and Ralph to the bank to show the new vault that The Elmore Bank had put in recently. While the adults were busy in conversation, Annabel’s elder niece, May playfully put the younger one, Agatha in the vault and locked her. The vault could not be unlocked by Mr Adams as the combination lock of the vault had not yet been set. As there was darkness and little air inside the vault, Agatha was in danger of dying out of both suffocation and fear.
When all started panicking, Annabel requested Ralph to do something to save Agatha. She trusted Ralph blindly and believed that he possessed the power of transforming an unfavourable situation into a favourable one. Asking Annabel to give him the rose that she was wearing, Jimmy
put it into his vest-pocket, took off his coat and pulled up his shirt-sleeves. Thereafter, he instructed everyone to get away from the door. Then putting his suitcase on the Table, Jimmy opened it out flat. He laid out the glistening burglary tools rapidly, in the right order, whistling softly to himself. Others observed in silence how within a minute, Jimmy’s pet drill was going smoothly into the steel door. In ten minutes’ time, Jimmy threw back the bolts and opened the door. Thus, little Agatha was saved.
11. “Can’t you do something, Ralph ?”-Who said this and to whom? What did the person spoken to do at last?
The line mentioned above was said by Annabel Adams to Ralph D.Spencer alias Jimmy Valentine.
On hearing his ladylove’s request, Ralph could not say no and to keep her words, decided to sacrifice his happiness. He was aware that his actions would reveal his old identity as a burglar and with that, his dream of spending his life with Annabel would be lost forever. Nevertheless, with a strange, unusual smile, Ralph stepped into the shoes of Jimmy, the safecracker, and asked Annabel to give him the rose from the bosom of her dress. An awestruck Annabel handed over the rose to Jimmy which he then stuffed into his vest-pocket. Then he removed his coat and pulled-up his shirt-sleeves. Just before getting into action, Jimmy ordered everyone to maintain distance from the vault door. Finally, Jimmy opened his set of tools and breaking all his earlier records, unlocked the vault in the least time. The little girl, Agatha was saved. After successful completion of this noble act, Jimmy, like an honest and virtuous human being, walked towards the door to surrender to Ben Price.
12. “The frightened child, unharmed, fell into her mother’s arms”-Who was the child referred to here? Why was the child frightened? How did the child fall into her mother’s arms unharmed?
The child referred to here was Annabel’s younger niece, Agatha. The child was frightened because her elder sister May,
playfully locked her in the new vault of The Elmore Bank’. When the door of the dark vault could not be opened, Agatha started panicking in fear. Due to scarcity of air inside the vault, she was in danger of being suffocated to death.
Jimmy, using his burglar’s tools, broke open the vault in ten minutes’ time, breaking his own record. After being saved little Agatha almost collapsed but was sale and fell into her mother’s arms.
13. “I don’t know that it makes much difference, now.” – What is the suggestive significance of this remark?
Ralph D Spencer was compelled to take the role of Jimmy Valentine, in order to save the younger niece of his ladylove. To spare Annabel the pain of losing Agatha, Jimmy risked his own dream of a happy married life with Annabel. Life without Annabel did not hold any meaning to him. Rather he would prefer to spend the rest of his life In prison. Jimmy, dejected, walked towards Ben Price for he thought his act of cracking the vault of ‘The Elmore Bank became a valid and important proof for Ben Price, who witnessed the entire episode, to arrest Jimmy. Without Annabel, life in prison or life of freedom did not make any difference to Jimmy, at that point of time.
14. “Guess you’re mistaken, Mr Spencer, he said.” Who said this? What was the real name of Mr Spencer? Was there really a mistake’? Elucidate your answer.
Ben Price, the eminent detective who was investigating Jimmy’s case, said this.
The real name of Mr Spencer was Jimmy Valentine.
Jimmy resumed his safe-cracking business, a week after he got released from imprisonment. Ben Price wanted to catch him red-handed so in order to keep an eye on Jimmy, he arrived at Elmore. But in Elmore, he came to know about Jimmy’s new identity, his shoe-business and his wish to marry the bank owner’s daughter. He followed Jimmy to ‘The Elmore Bank’ and witnessed how Jimmy saved Agatha’s life without thinking of his own future only to keep the request of his ladylove. He used his burglary tools which he was carrying to hand over to Billy, his friend, to break open the vault. This noble act of Jimmy on humanitarian grounds moved Ben Price and he refused to recognise Jimmy when Jimmy walked up to him to surrender.
The Jimmy, Ben Price knew earlier, was a criminal but the Jimmy at Elmore was a reformed person who did not deserve anymore punishment. Ben Price behaved strangely for he was able to make out that a positive change had come upon Jimmy. Ben Price came to the conclusion that a redeemed person like Jimmy should be given a chance to lead an honest life. There was no real ‘mistake’ as Ben Price intentionally pretended not to know Jimmy, for Jimmy’s well-being.
15. Briefly narrate in your own words the conversation between Jimmy and the warden inside the jail. Did Jimmy follow the advice of the warden?
The warden of the prison handed Jimmy his release order signed by the governor. The warden who believed that Jimmy was ‘not a bad fellow at heart’, advised him to stop cracking safes and lead an honest life. He suggested Jimmy to prepare himself to become a responsible citizen and prosper in life.
Jimmy blatantly denied the charges brought against him by the warden. He refused to have ever cracked a safe in his life. Jimmy also claimed that he had never been to Springfield in his life. The warden mocked him by referring him as one of the innocent victims of law. He again told Jimmy to ponder over his advice. The warden also gave Jimmy a cigar and shook hands with him before Jimmy walked out of the prison.
Jimmy did not follow the advice of the warden. In fact, after a week of his release from the prison a safe burglary was committed in Richmond, Indiana. After two weeks in Logansport a patented, improved burglar-proof safe was opened like a cheese. Next in Jefferson City bank-notes from an old-fashioned bank-safe was stolen. The losses were high enough to bring the matter into Ben Price’s class of work and he after comparing the methods of the burglaries, concluded that Jimmy Valentine had resumed his business.
16. How was Valentine released from the prison?
Jimmy Valentine was supposed to serve a four- year sentence in prison for cracking safes. But after almost ten months of imprisonment, Jimmy was pardoned by the governor, Jimmy had influential connections which made it difficult for the police to keep him imprisoned for the prescribed period. On the day of his release, at quarter past seven, Jimmy stood in the warden’s outer office. He wore an ill-fitted readymade suit and a pair of stiff, squeaky shoes which the state gave to all the prisoners at the time of their discharge from the jail. The clerk handed Jimmy a railroad ticket and a five-dollar bill with which the law expected him to renounce the path of crime and lead an honest life. The warden gave Jimmy a cigar and shook hands with him. Valentine, 9762 was documented on the books, “Pardoned by Governor” and got released from prison.
17. What did Jimmy Valentine do from the time he got out of jail till he met Mike Dolan?
Jimmy Valentine was released from the prison after being granted ‘pardon’ by the governor with a railway ticket and a five-dollar bill, to start a new and reformed life. Ignoring the song of the birds, the swaying green trees and the scent of the flowers, Jimmy headed straight for a restaurant. There he enjoyed his newly found freedom with a broiled chicken and a bottle of white wine and a cigar of better quality than the one the warden had given him. Then he proceeded leisurely towards the depot. There he gave a blind man a quarter and boarded the train. The three hour journey brought him to a small town close to the state line. Then Jimmy went to the cafe of Mike Dolan, had a conversation with him and took the key of his room. He was free again to enjoy life.
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