ANDRES: Retrieved Reformation

Andres Alvarado

English 9

Ms. Henderson

October 4, 2017

Clean Slate

In O. Henry's short story "A Retrieved Reformation" Jimmy Valentine deserves to be free despite his criminal behavior because of his selfless act that saved a child. First, Jimmy Valentine reforms into an honest citizen. "At the end of the year a situation of Mr. Ralph D. Spencer was this: 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" (O. Henry 192). Falling in love and starting a legitimate business makes Jimmy Valentine commit to changing every aspect of his life. Despite his criminal past, Valentine has been reborn. He is now trustworthy and full of integrity. Later, Jimmy Valentine falls in love and leaves his criminal life completely. "She believes in me, and I wouldn’t do another crooked thing in the whole world. Be sure to be at Sully's, for I must see you. I'll bring the tools with me" (O. Henry 193). As a result of being engaged, Jimmy Valentine shifts into a whole different person. He ditches his tools to be with the woman he loves and to be a clean and honest man. Lastly, Jimmy Valentine risks his whole life to save a little girl. "With that act Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place.... He set his suitcase on the table and opened it out flat. In deep silence and immovable, he others watched him as if under a spell" (O. Henry 195). Seeing the little girl trapped causes Jimmy Valentine to use his illegal skills and open the safe. He lets her out and gives up his whole life just to save a child. Jimmy Valentine, the main character in O. Henry's short story, "A Retrieved Reformation" is now worthy of freedom because of his redemptive actions.