BEATRIZ: Retrieved Reformation

Beatriz Rivera

English 9

Ms. Henderson

October 12, 2017

Free Jimmy Valentine

            In O’Henry’s short story “A Retrieved Reformation”, Jimmy Valentine deserves to be freed despite his acts of crime because selflessly gave up everything to save the life of a child. To begin, Mr. Valentine reforms 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. Next, Valentine has transformed 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 safe breaking equipment. Without his gear, Valentine will be unable to rob safes over again. Finally, Jimmy Valentine returns to being to his villainous, dishonest ways, to save Annabel’s niece. “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). Jimmy gave up his chance on having a better life for the love of his life. He saved the bankers granddaughter from dying and in doing so, lost his life. Jimmy Valentine, the protagonist in O’Henry’s story “A Retrieved Reformation”, earns his freedom after being a lawbreaker because he was unselfish when he saved the little girl.