Angie Q. Ramirez
English 9
Ms. Henderson
October 12, 2017
A
Changeful Man
In O’Henry’s short story “A Retrieved Reformation,” Jimmy
Valentine deserves to be freed despite his acts of crime because he selfishly
gave up everything to save the life of a child. To begin, Mr. Valentine
reformed himself into a trustworthy citizen. “At the end of a year 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). Valentine is no longer pursuing a life of crime.
While he used to rob safes, he now runs a successful, legitimate business. Now
that Valentine is a respectable gentleman, he is engaged to the banker’s
daughter. Then, Valentine transforms into an honest businessman and is no
longer a criminal. “She believes in me, and I wouldn’t do another crooked thing
for the whole world. Be sure to be at Sully’s, for I must see you. I’ll bring
along the tools with me” (O’Henry 193). Falling in love with the banker’s
daughter has motivated Valentine to live a clean life. He is giving away his
safe cracking equipment. Without his gear, Valentine will be unable to rob
safes ever again. Lastly, Valentine gave up everything to save the bankers
granddaughter. “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 a
deep silence and immovable, he others watched him as if under a spell” (O’Henry
195). Valentine risked everything to save his fiancé’s niece. He finally
revealed himself and showed what he was from the start. He didn’t care what
people said just to save the banker’s granddaughter. Mr. Valentine, the main
character in “A Retrieved Reformation” by O’Henry, did illegal felonies, but
must be set free because his helpful act saved a child’s life.
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