Jimmy Valentine Questions Answers | XI WBCHSE 2nd Semester
Main theme or summary of the story “A Retrieved Reformation” by O. Henry.
OR,
What is the Central theme?
Ans. Jimmy Valentine is an inveterate gangster and his specialty is cracking safes (especially those in banks!). Once out of prison, it isn’t long before he’s “at it” again, and police officer Ben Price is determined to catch him in the act. While planning his next hoist, Jimmy falls in love with the banker’s daughter and decides to reform. He writes a letter to an old prison buddy and explains that he is “bequeathing” him his burglary tools since he’s decided to go straight and stop his “trade.” He even opens a shoe store in town to make a modest but decent living.
While at the bank of his future father-in-law, Jimmy witnesses a scene where two little girls are playing and one encloses the other in a newly patented vault which won’t open before a certain time. The mother is hysterical as she is afraid her daughter will run out of air before the vault opens. Jimmy happens to have his “tool box” with him, and he doesn’t hesitate to break open the vault and save the little girl, even if it means he gets “found out” and has to go back to jail. Ben Price is at the door to intercept his suspect, but when he sees that Jimmy has had a true change of heart, he decides to “let him off”. He even pretends he doesn’t recognise him, then strolls away.
Describe Jimmy Valentine’s personality and appearance.
Ans .Jimmy is easygoing with a good sense of humor. Notice how even the warden of the prison seems to like Jimmy and Jimmy is comfortable enough to joke with the warden. We learn he has a good heart by what the warden says to him: “You’re not a bad fellow at heart. Stop cracking safes, and live straight.”
This information about Jimmy’s personality also foreshadows what Jimmy will do at the end of the story.
Jimmy Valentine likes the good (material) things in life. Notice that when Jimmy is released from prison he is not interested in nature but goes to a restaurant for a night meal and a cigar. “Disregarding the song of the birds, the waving green trees, flowers, Jimmy headed straight for a restaurant. There he tasted the first sweet joys of liberty in the shape of a broiled chicken and a bottle of wine followed by a cigar, a grade better than the one the warden had given him.”
We see that Jimmy has compassion because “he tossed a quarter into the hat of a blind man sitting by a door.” We get a sense that Jimmy is young, good- looking, and well-built by this physical description of his appearance.
Jimmy, looking like an athletic, young senior just home from college “and that he is sophisticated and likes to dress well. The clerk at the hotel is impressed with the way Jimmy acts and the clerk admires the way Jimmy ties the knot of his tie. The clerk was impressed by the clothes and manner of Jimmy. He [the clerk] himself, was something of a patron of fashion to the thinly gilded youth of Elmore, but he now perceived his shortcomings. While trying to figure out Jimmy’s manner of tying his four-in-hand he cordially give information.
“That child can’t stand it for long in there.”- Who is being referred here? Why was he in danger? How was he saved?
Ans. Agatha is mentioned here in Henry’s short story ‘Alias Jimmy Valentine’. Agatha was in danger because she locked her older sister in the vault in the spirit of the game. The door could not be opened as the combination lock was not set even though the watch was not damaged. There was not enough air inside. Moreover, she can be timid. In that dangerous situation, Annabel asked Ralph to do something. Ralph could not refuse his woman-love request. Although he knew that the activity of his past records would reveal his true identity, he accepted his equipment and within ten minutes broke the lock of the door and released the frightened child. Thus Agatha was saved.
How did O’Henry draw a contrast between Jimmy Valentine and Ralph D. Spencer?
Ans. Jimmy Valentine and Ralph D. Spencer are two names of the same person at different stages of their lives. Both are smart, handsome and intelligent. Both have friends. However, they differ considerably in terms of occupation, financial status, social status and mental disposition. Jimmy Valentine is a notorious thief, but Ralph de Spencer is a successful businessman. Jimmy is a criminal whom Ben Price wanted to arrest. Ralph de Spencer, on the other hand, deserves Ben Price’s compassion and praise for his nobility. Jimmy Valentine uses stealing tools, but Ralph de Spencer uses the same tools to rescue the little girl from the vault. In fact, love makes Jimmy an honest man.
“Socially Mr. Spencer was also a success and secured a good run of trade” Who was Mr. Spencer? Give an overview of the success he has achieved.
Ans. Spencer is the pseudonym of Jimmy Valentine who came to Elmore and gave his name to Ralph the Spencer and later added that Spencer’s name to the hotel’s register book.
Jimmy came to Elmore and met Annabelle Adams, and this meeting changed the course of his life. He decided to live honestly. As a result he opened a shoe store. His business improved and socially he also gained the trust of the community. He also married his girlfriend Annabelle Adams within a year of living in Elmore.
“There he tasted…….liberty.” Who was he? Where and how did he taste the sweet pleasures of Liberty? Why was it sweet to him?
Ans. Here he mentions Jimmy Valentine who was released from prison. Jimmy headed straight for a restaurant. There he tasted the first sweet joy of freedom in the shape of a broiled chicken and a bottle of white wine. He then started smoking high quality cigars.
Jimmy was in prison for ten long months and had to eat what he was given as a prisoner. So eating something after its taste seemed sweet to him.
How love changes Jimmy Valentine?.
Ans. A Retrieved Reformation is the story of Jimmy Valentine, a famous safe robber who is released from jail after ten months out of a 4 year conviction. Jimmy is the best of his trade and has many friends outside. As soon as Jimmy leaves jail, he goes back to work, successfully as always. An then the nice part begins. Jimmy goes to Elmore, Arkansas and he falls in love with a girl he sees on the street. Because of her, Jimmy settles in Elmore as a shoe seller and manages to become engaged to the girl, who happens to be the daughter of the local banker. Jimmy Valentine is truly reformed and wishes to leave his old life of crime for the love of his sweetheart. But then there is Ben Price, an investigator who follows Jimmy to Elmore and his ready to take him in when a surprise episode takes place. One of the nieces of Jimmy’s bride locks herself in the bank safe and the family is terrified as help would take to long to arrive. Jimmy decides to make use of his old trade know-how, not fearing to be recognised for something more than a shoe seller, and saves the little girl. Ben Price, who had been a witness to the whole scene, decides to let Jimmy go free and live his new life as a fully “restored” man.
What did Jimmy write to his old friend? Why did he write so?
Ans. After spending a year in Elmore and settle himself as a prosperous businessman, Jimmy wrote a letter to his old friend Billy. He asked Billy to meet him at Sullivan’s place on next Wednesday. He wanted to wind up some little matters and to present him the burglar’s tools. He did not need them because he wished to lead an honest life. He had a nice shoe-store. He also informed Billy that within two weeks, he was going to marry the finest girl on earth.
He wrote the letter to inform Billy about his present position as a successful businessman and his future- plans after marriage. He realised that leading an honest life was the only life. His words showed Jimmy’s reformation as a good human being.
Retrace Jimmy’s course of action from the moment he is granted parole to the time he reaches his room.
OR,
What did Jimmy Valentine do from the time he got out of jail till met Mike Dolan.
Ans. After coming out of the jail, Jimmy headed straight for a restaurant ignoring the natural beauties like the songs of birds, the waving green trees, and the smell of the flowers. In the hotel, he tasted the first sweet joys of liberty in the form of a broiled chicken, a bottle of white wine and a good quality cigar. Then he reached the depot and before entering the train, he tossed a quarter of a dollar in the hat of a blind man. Then he travelled for three hours and reached a little town where his friend Mike Dolan lived.
Mr. Ralph Spencer, the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine’s ashes. How did Jimmy Valentine turn into Ralph D. Spencer?
Ans. The afternoon Jimmy Valentine reached Elmore, he happened to meet Miss Annabel Adams. He was charmed by her angelic beauty and extraordinary personal temperament. He fell in love with her. He decided to give up his previous profession. He made up his mind to begin a new life based on honesty and sincerity. He opened a shoe store and achieved material prosperity. He was able to win the heart of Miss Annable Adams. Thus, the love of Miss Annable Adams and her company changed Jimmy’s life completely, Like phoenix, the mythological bird which burnt itself and arose in a new form from its own ashes, Jimmy Valentine passed away and took his rebirth in the form of Ralph D Spencer. Like fire, love here played as a Purgatory force in reforming the burglar into a good citizen.
Describe briefly Jimmy’s life before his real indentity was exposed.
Ans. Before his indentity was revealed Jimmy had established himself well in the town of Elmone. He had started the shoe business and proved to be very successful in the trade. He made friend with Annabel the daughter of the banken Mr. Adams. Gradually their friendship matured into love and she grew very fond of Jimmy Annabel family also readily accepted Jimmy as a new member and so did the staffs of Mr. Adam’s bank. However, the detective Ben Price was in search of Jimmy in connection with some burglaries commitred in various places of the country and bearing the trade mark of Jimmy.
Describe Jimmy’s final meeting with Ben Price. Why did Ben refuse to recognize Jimmy?
Ans. When Jimmy saved the life of the little girl by cracking open the safe in the bank of Mr. Adams, he saw Ben Price standing at the gate. Jimmy knew that he had been exposed and it was clear to everybody that he was after all a burglar. Jimmy felt that the world had come to an end for him. He knew that Ben had come to arrest him and as he was totally frustrated at the turn of events, he smiled at Ben and offered to go with hum as it did not make any difference to him then. At this Juncture Ben pretened not to know him at all and reminded him that his buggy was waiting for him. Ben refuse to recognize Jimmy as he was convinced that Jimmy was already a reformed man and did not deserve any more punishment. He did not wish to come between Jimmy and his happy life ahead with Annabel.
Describe in brief how the warden advised Jimmy for his betterment.
Ans. The warden handed over to Jimmy his release order signed by the Governors. Before that he had made all the necessary arrangements which all prisoners were entitled to have.
However the warden also gave Jimmy some advice, his conduct in future. He believed that though Jimmy was a safe cracker he was not a rotten person altogether. He advised Jimmy to give up committing nuisance and live a normal and straight life. On the whole he opined that Jimmy should start a new life after being released from prison.
Briefly describe what happened in Elmore Bank.
Ans. Jimmy along with Annable and her family went to Elmore Bank. There he received a warm welcome, from the staff because he was known to them as their employer’s future son in law. There was a new safe and vault in the bank and the bankers Mr. Adams requested everyone to inspect it. He explained its workings to Jimmy in a very enthusiastic manner but he was apparently uncompreheding. The detective Ben Price followed Jimmy in the bank unseen and kept an eye on the proceedings from a distance. Then Agatha, Annabel’s niece, was accidentally shut by her elder sister in the vault and it caused a pandemonium inside the bank, ultimately Jimmy managed to extricate Agatha safely and it impressed Ben Price to such an extent that he did not arrest Jimmy.
Write a note on the relationship between Jimmy Valentine and Ben Price.
Ans. Jimmy Valentine was a notorious safe cracker. Ben Price was the detective who arrested him and sent to prison. After being released from Prison Jimmy did a few more jobs of burglary and Ben Price investigated those cases. After carefully analysing the incidents Ben Price came to the conclusion that Jimmy was behind them, From then he began to follow Jimmy and came to Elmore. In Elmore bank where the banker Mr. Adams, Jimmy and others came to visit he waited for him just outside the bank. When finally Jimmy released Agatha from the vault and everyone was busy with her he found Ben Price waiting for him. He went straight to Ben Prise and surrendered himself to the law, But by this time a change came upon the detective. He found that Jimmy had been transformed into a good human being. So by surprising Jimmy, Ben Price declined to arrest him.
What new name did Jimmy Valentine assume at Elmore? What business did Jimmy open there? How did Jimmy fare at Elmore?
Ans. In the short story, ‘Jimmy Valentine’; Jimmy assumed the new name Ralph D. Spencer at Elmore.
Jimmy opened an exclusive shoe-store at Elmore. Jimmy opened a shoe-store and secured a good run of trade. Within one year, he had won the respect of the Community, his shoe store was flourishing and he and Annabel were engaged to be married in two weeks. Mr. Adams, the typical, plodding country banker, approved of Spencer: Annabel’s pride in him almost equalled her affection. He was as much at home in the family of Mr. Adams and that of Annabel’s married sister as if he were already a member.
“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?
Ans. In the short story, “Jimmy Valentine”, Ben Price was a famous detected detective.
After investigation the method of robberies Ben Price was heard to remark that was Dandy Jimmy Valentine’s autograph. He resumed his business. Actually Ben Price had worked on the Springfield case. So he knew Jimmy’s habit very well. His habits were long jump, quick get-away, no confederates and taste for good society. These habits helped Valentine to become noted as a successful dodger from punishment. He was an unique man for his robberies.
“That’s Dandy Jim Valentine’s autograph” – Who. said this and why? How did the come to such a conclusion?
Ans. In the short story, ‘Jimmy Valentine’, Ben Price, an eminent detective said this.
After Jimmy’s release from Prison, there were three cases of safe cracking in Richmond, Indiana, Logansport, and in Jefferson city. By comparing notes a remarkable similarities in the methods of the burglaries was noticed. Ben Price investigated the scenes of the robberies, and heard to remark that it was Jimmy’s work of robberies.
Ben Price knew Jimmy’s style and methods: of robberies. Jimmy jerked out that combination knob easily. He used only clams to punchout the tumblers cleanly. Then he made only one hole in the vault using his drill. He used his own hand-made tools. After investigating these style Ben Price found remarkable similarities among all these robberies. At last Ben Price was heard to remark that they were all done by Jim Valentine. He found Jimmy’s autograph everywhere.
“Ben Price acted rather strangely”- How did Ben Price act? When did Ben Price act strangely? Why did the writer use the Word ‘strangely’?
Ans. Ben Price was a famous detective. So, he came to Elmore to arrest Jimmy Valentine for the previous notorious works of burglary.
After watching Jimmy’s activities in Elmore, he convinced that Jimmy was leading an honest life and he transformed into a new ideal man. In Elmore Bank he noticed that Jimmy took risk of his past notorious life-history to save Agatha. All these incident changed Ben Price’s mind.
When Jimmy recognised Ben Price and gave himself for arrest, Ben Price said that he could not recognize him.
Ben Price’s action was described as a strange by the writer because instead of arresting him, he went away from there. It was very surprising. Actually Ben Price convinced that Jimmy become a transformed person. He was now leading an honest and respectful life.
Who was Annabel Adams? How did Jimmy come know about her? what role did Annabel play on Jimmy’s transformation?
Ans. Miss Annabel Adams, was the younger daughter of Mr. Adams, the owner of The Elmore Bank.
When Jimmy came to Elmore, he saw a young lady crossed the street, passed him at the corner and entered into the bank. Then he collared a boy loafing on the steps of the bank.
By feeding him dimes to, Jimmy gathered information about the lady. He knew that the name of the lovely younger lady was Miss Annabel Adams.
Jimmy looked into Annabel’s eyes and forgot what he was, and became another man. As soon as he saw her, he fell in love with her. He was so much impressed by her charming beauty. So he decided to give up his old notorious business. He wanted to give his took to his old friend in St. Louis. He decided to make an honest living. Then he assumed a new identity and opened a shoe store in Elmore. He promised not to do any crooked thing for the whole world because of her faith on him. In this way we knew that Annabel was responsible for transforming Jimmy’s life forever. So, Annabel played a vital role in the short story.
“He opened this and gazed fondly”- What was this? Describe the contents of Jimmy’s suitcase? Why do you think he ‘gazes fondly at them?
Ans. This was Jimmy’s suitcase that was opened Jimmy’s suitcase contained the finest set of burglar’s tools in the East. It was a complete set, made of specially tempered steel, the latest designs in drills, punches, braces and bits, jimmies, clamps and augers, with two or three novelties, invented by Jimmy himself.
Jimmy gazed fondly at them because it was a complete set of burglar’s tools in the East. It was the latest designs in drills. Among the tools, some of his tools were his own hand made making. These tools valued over nine hundred dollars. He took pride in them. He gained success professionally through these tools.
“Can’t you do something Ralph- try, won’t you?” Who said this and to whom? what did the speaker say to do? what did Ralph do then?
Ans. Annabel Adams said this to Jimmy in the short story. In Elmore bank, unperceived by the elders, May, in a spirit of play had shut Agatha in the vault. So, Annabel Adams turned to Jimmy and requested him to do something to save Agatha. Actually to a woman nothing seems quite impossible to the powers of the man she worships.
After her request, Jimmy asked Annabel to give him the rose. Then he stuffed it into this vest pocket, threw off his coat and pulled up his shirt sleeves. Thus Ralph passed away and Jimmy took his place. He opened his suitcase. In a minute Jimmy’s pet drill was biting smoothly into the steel door. In ten minutes-breaking his own burglarious record he threw back the bolts and opened the door. Thus he saved Agatha ultimately.
Sketch the character of Jimmy Valentine?
Ans. Jimmy Valentine is the central character of the short story, Jimmy Valentine. He was an expert burglar who specialised in cracking safes and worked alone. He had spent ten months of a four year sentence in prison where he expected to spend three months. He had influential friends. He was a likeable person. Even the warden in the prison seemed to like him. He was extremely clever. He did not admit to anything. He inspired loyalty in his friends. So Mike helped to get him a governor’s pardon. He had a taste for good society. He liked to eat good food and wore expensive clothes. He was an unrepentant person. He went straight back into a life of crime though he learnt shoe making in prison. He was skilled in drawing out information, He managed to get all the information he wanted about Elmore and the young lady from the boy in front of the hotel. He fell in love in an instant and was or changed man. In this way, Jimmy has been presented as a smart burglar.
Sketch the character of Ralph D. Spencer.
Ans. In the short story, O. Henrey presented the transformation from Jimmy Valentine to Ralph D Spencer, in Elmore to Jimmy settled down as Ralph D Spencer and hide his real identity. He opened a shoe-store in Elmore, and became a successful businessman. He gained social success and made or lot of friends. He won the respect of the community in Elmore. He also met Annabel Adams and fell more and more in love with her. He was engaged to her by the end of the year. Annabel loved him and was proud of him. She expected him to solve her problems. Mr. Adam approved of Jimmy. He was treated like a member of the Adam’s family. So, he decided to break off from his old life completely and started afresh because of Annabel’s belief in him. He decided to give his burglar’s tools to a friend. He did not show any interest in the new vault and showed the firmness of his purpose. He was courageous enough to make the right choice in rescuing Agatha even though he knew that his action will lead to his exposure and arrested. This way, O’Henry for shows the story of a person who changed from bad to a good man because of love.
Sketch the character of Ben Price.
Ans. Ben Price was a famous detective in the short story, Jimmy Valentine. He had arrested Jimmy to sent him to jail for his crime in Springfield. Actually after release from jail Jimmy Committed three consecutive burglaries. He had been responsible for Jimmy’s earlier incarceration. He was relentless person. He set out to capture Jimmy when he resumed his criminal career. He did not give up even when Jimmy had been leading or respectable life for a year. He was very careful person. He was well acquainted with the methods of Jimmy. So he followed Jimmy to the town of Elmore. There he enquired carefully into Jimmy’s life in Elmore. But when from the incident inside the bank, he found that Jimmy had changed into a good human being he pardoned him and left the place. In this way he proved himself as a man of morals. So, Ben Price had played an important role in the short story, Jimmy Valentine.
What elements of this story are ironic?
Ans. Irony is a figure of speech which a person is saying the opposite of what he means. There are three types of irony Verbal Irony, Situational Irony Dramatic Irony. The short story, ‘Jimmy Valentine’ is full of ironic elements. Irony lies in the plot, setting, dialogues. When Jimmy comes down stairs with the suitcase in hand, his friend Mike Dolan asked about his next plan. Jimmy tells Mike Dolan,” I’m representing the New York Amalgamated Short Snap Biscuit cracker and Frazzled Wheat Company”. Here lies the verbal irony, Then we come to know that Jimmy save Agatha through his burglar tools from the vault. These tools serve as a rescue tools for Agatha. Here lies the situational irony, Atlast when Ben Price gets the chance to arrest Jimmy with all his proofs, he acts rather strangely, Ben Price actually releases Jimmy for his honest life. Here lies ironical twist.
Evaluate O. Henry as or master of surprise ending with reference to his short story, “Jimmy Valentine”?
OR,
Why is the ending of the story said to have a twist- ending.
OR,
How does the climax of the story come to a conclusion?
Ans. O. Henry is the master of successful ending technique the twist ending. The so-called the twist ending means at the end of an article the mental status or the fate of the character has changed greatly and also this change is based on certain reasons have mentioned in the previous articles. But the whole passage is suddenly endowed with a great charm because of the sudden change and caused a long and deep consideration of the situation or problem the article has revealed. Here We see that Ben Price witnesses the whole Elmore Bank episode with his own eyes. There Jimmy uses his tools to break the vault. But the Ben Price refuses to arrest him. He pretends not to recognise him and walks away from the place. Actually Ben Price allows him to lead an honest life. It is twisting that Ben Price decides to accepts Jimmy’s reformation. In this way climax reaches to a satisfying conclusion to the reader.
Briefly narrate in your own words the conversation between Jimmy and the Warden inside the jail? Did Jimmy follow the advice of the Warden?
Ans. At the time of Jimmy’s release from, the prison, the Warden advised him to stop cracking safes and live straight. He also said that he would released next morning. He believed that Jimmy was not a bad fellow at heart. So he suggested Jimmy to brace up and make a man of himself. He wished his upcoming honest life. But Jimmy took this advice casually. He said that he had never cracked a safe in his life. The Warden felt amused and referred many examples of the innocent victims of law. But Jimmy said that he had never been in Springfield in his life.
A week after the release of Valentins a series of burglaries occurred in various places. A remarkable similarity in the methods of the burglaries was noticed. Ben Price investigated the scenes of the robberies and was heard to remark that Jimmy had resumed his business. So Jimmy did not follow the advice of the Warden. But at the end of the story, he had transformed in to an honest man through the love affair with Annable. And Ben Price did not arrest him. In this point, we knew that Jimmy followed warden’s advice.
Who was Ben Price? Why did he ignore to recognise Jimmy at the end of the story?
Ans. Ben Price was an eminent and efficient detective. He was called for the investigation of burglaries. In ‘The Elmore Bank’ Ben Price noticed the entire vault breaking episode by Jimmy. He wanted to catch Jimmy red-handed. Here Jimmy used his burglary tools to save Agatha from the vault. When Jimmy himself came to him to surrender, Ben Price refused to recognise him. Actually Ben Price convinced that Jimmy had really the changed. He realised that Jimmy was no more punishment. Jimmy had now turned into a reformed person. So Ben Price allowed him to lead an honest life. Really Ben Price was the keeper of law. Thus he created surprise ending 368 to the climax of the story by releasing Jimmy from humanitarian point of view. However, Ben Price rewarded his reformed character.
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