Read our complete notes on the short story “A Retrieved Reformation” by William Sydney Porter, a.k.a O. Henry. Our notes cover A Retrieved Reformation summary, themes, and critical analysis.
Introduction
“A Retrieved Reformation”, is a short story written by American writer William Sydney Porter, published in 1903. He used multiple pen names before adopting O’ Henry in 1902. O’ Henry has written this short story in New York during the literary movement of Realism. His characters are depicted as realistically as possible, often at times dealing with ordinary and mundane topics.
The protagonist of the story is said to be based on a real-life safe-cracker named Jimmy Connors. The writer heard about him during his own time in prison. O. Henry wrote this story after being imprisoned for an embezzlement case. This story has remained popular for decades, even after O Henry’s death. It has been adapted into multiple movies, dramas, and stage productions.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT/BACKGROUND
The publishing of this story was at a time when a change took place during the late nineteenth and twentieth century. 1903 was a time of progressive politics. Politicians and social reformers were of the view that people do not just commit crimes because they want to. Certain conditions or in other words; lack of necessities, environment, mental issues all lead to criminal activities.
If people are provided basic food, education, and work, there would be smaller chances of them breaking the law. If these people are taken care of, there will be less crime. They believed that convicts should be given parole and released after reforming and showing good behavior. They should be treated fairly and justly and taught to become responsible citizens. This short story is a narration that indirectly advocates for amendments in the legal system of America. It also takes a jab at how inmates are treated in prison facilities.
OVERVIEW
This story revolves around an infamous safe-cracker named Jimmy Valentine. Upon his release from prison, he sets out on numerous robberies. During one of his endeavors, he arrives in Elmore. Here, he mends his ways after meeting Annabelle. It is not just a story about love but about second chances. It is called the reformation as it involves him reforming himself into a better man after falling in love.
A Retrieved Reformation Summary
The story begins with the protagonist Jimmy Valentine who works in a prison shoe shop where he is locked up for breaking safes. He is convicted for opening a safe in Springfield. He is called to the warden’s office and granted freedom by the governor of Arkansas. Jimmy serves only ten months in prison instead of his four-year sentence for his crimes. Being a well-known criminal, he expected to be released sooner due to his connections.
The warden advises Jimmy to correct his ways. However Jimmy, playfully pretends he has never cracked a safe open in his entire life. Upon release, he goes to his friend Mike Dolan’s cafe where he used to live before his arrest. He walks up to his room, where he finds the collar-button from the shirt of the detective that arrested him. From there, he retrieves the safe-cracking tools that he hid inside a wall and leaves town. Dolan asks him about his plans but Jimmy once again acts oblivious and claims he works at a bread factory.
The weeks following Jimmy’s release, multiple burglaries are reported in Indiana, Logansport and Jefferson City consecutively. This draws the attention of Ben Price, a cop who works on such matters. He immediately suspects Jimmy after inspecting the places where the robberies occurred. He is also the cop who arrested Jimmy in Springfield.
Meanwhile, Jimmy arrives in a small town called Elmore, where he hopes to rob another bank. There he meets Annabel Adams, daughter of a bank owner. He instantly falls in love with her. Jimmy completely transforms into another man, changing his felonious schemes. He takes on the name of Ralph D. Spenser and opens up a shoe store.
A year goes by and Jimmy who now goes by his alias name Ralph D. Spencer becomes an accepted member of the Adam family. Everything in life is going well for him. He is very much loved by the people and his business is pretty successful. Moreover, he plans to marry Annabelle in two weeks.
Satisfied with his life, he decides to write a letter to his old friend. Spenser asks his friend to meet him in Little Rock so he can hand over his safe cracking tools as he does not need them anymore. Little does Spenser know that Ben Price has also arrived in Elmore a day before he plans to meet his friend.
Ben Price finds out about Jimmy’s fake identity and discovers that he is to marry the daughter of a local banker. The next morning, Jimmy goes to the bank with Mr.Adam, Annabelle, Annabelle’s married sister and her two daughters, May and Agatha. Mr.Adam wants everyone to see his brand new safe which he is very proud of. He shows off how the door is controlled by a clock and is impossible to break in. On the other side of the bank, the cop Ben Price quietly watches over Spencer.
Then Annabelle’s niece, May accidentally shuts her sister Agatha inside the vault. Everyone starts to panic and fear that Agatha will die if the vault is not opened soon. Annabelle, in a state of distress, turns to Spencer for help. Spencer asks Annabelle for the rose pinned to her dress. He knows he is about to lose her and everything he holds dear. At that moment, Spencer returns to his old identity as Jimmy. He then opens the vault using his tools and skills to save the girl.
Meanwhile, Ben sees everything unfold in front of him. After saving Agatha, Jimmy leaves the bank and he spots Ben Price. Jimmy wants to turn himself as he has nothing else to lose but Ben Price pretends not to know him. With this, he walks away leaving Jimmy to live his own life.
A Retrieved Reformation Characters Analysis
JIMMY VALENTINE/ RALPH SPENSER
Jimmy Valentine is a notorious safe-cracker who is released from prison after serving only ten months. He is known as prisoner 9762 and is imprisoned for stealing money. When he is being released, it is evident from his indifferent behavior that he shows no remorse for his crimes. He acts as if he has never been involved in any robbery.
Jimmy has a very likable character, in spite of his criminal background. He is kind-hearted, as he gives some money to a blind beggar upon release. He is quick-witted and without a doubt an expert in his field. His expertise is evident when he steals from multiple banks in just a few weeks, without getting caught.
Jimmy shows no particular interest in anything except for robbing safes. This changes when he meets Annabelle and abandons his unlawful ways. He finds his home in Elmore with her and settles down. Jimmy takes on a new identity, that of an honest and good man. He becomes Ralph D. Spenser, a shoe shop owner.
It seems that Jimmy is reformed because of his love for Annabelle but at the same time, his relationship is based on a lie. When Annabelle’s niece, Agatha, gets trapped in the vault, he decides to give up on his guise as Ralph D. Spencer to save her. It is only when he saves Agatha and sacrifices his identity, he finally redeems himself for his past mistakes. In the end, he is completely reformed.
ANNABELLE ADAMS
Annabelle is the fiancé of Jimmy Valentine and Mr.Adam’s daughter, who owns a bank in Elmore. Jimmy denounces his former ways of life after meeting Annabelle outside her father’s bank. She too becomes fond of Jimmy but is totally unaware of his real identity. Jimmy describes her as “the best girl on earth” and compares her to an angel.
Annabelle has a delightful and easy-going personality. She is also fun-loving, which is visible when she playfully puts on Jimmy’s hat and carries his bag. Annabelle has complete trust in Jimmy. He is the first person she turns to when her niece Agatha gets stuck in the vault. Annabelle gives Jimmy the rose pinned to her dress as a token of their love and affection.
BEN PRICE
Ben Price is an esteemed police officer who wants Jimmy to pay for his crimes. He is the epitome of morality and hard work. He also serves as a foil to the protagonist of the story. Ben Price is good at his work. He immediately connects the robberies to Jimmy after examining the crime scenes. Ben is also the one who put Jimmy in prison in the first place.
He is so dedicated to the work that he pursues Jimmy for one whole year. He traces Jimmy to Elmore and finds out about his identity as Ralph D. Spencer. He is determined to stop Jimmy’s marriage to Annabelle and bring him to justice. Price’s commitment to his work is put to test when he silently watches how Jimmy saves Agatha. Ultimately, he chooses not to arrest Jimmy. Instead Ben pretends not to know him. Price goes against the law because he believes that Jimmy is a changed man.
MIKE DOLAN
Mike Dolan is an old friend of Jimmy valentine who helps free him out of prison. Jimmy lives in the room above the café that Dolan runs.
Mr. Adam
Mr.Adam is the father of Annabelle. He owns a bank in Elmore. His granddaughter gets stuck in the very same vault he is so proud of.
MAY AND AGATHA
9 years old May and 5 years old Agatha are the daughters of Annabelle’s married sister. While playing, May accidentally locks Agatha in the bank’s vault.
Themes in A Retrieved Reformation
REDEMPTION
Jimmy hardly learns his lesson after being put behind bars. He goes back to his criminal life and continues robbing banks. Jimmy has no interest in changing his ways. His time in prison has not benefited him in any way. Jimmy carelessly dismisses his newfound freedom and has no regard for consequences.
Jimmy’s meeting with Annabelle causes him to renew his life. He rebuffs his dishonest life and becomes a completely different person. His altered persona, Ralph D. Spencer is everything Jimmy is not. He is honest, hardworking and loved by everyone.
It is true that Jimmy’s life is a string of lies and deceit. He can never truly be at peace unless he accepts his past. Jimmy attains absolute salvation when he drops his fake act. He also knows by saving Agatha, he is going to lose everything. However, he sacrifices Ralph D. Spencer and once again becomes Jimmy Valentine.
Jimmy’s act of sacrifice is the final phase of redemption. Ben acknowledges that Jimmy has owned up to his sins. Ben’s mercy reveals that he has accepted Jimmy’s redemption. O’ henry tries to present the idea that no matter how bad a person’s past may be, there is always hope.
LOVE
This story deals with another prominent theme, that is love. Love transforms a crook like Jimmy into an upright man. Jimmy’s growth from a delinquent to an honest fellow is only possible after running into Annabelle.
O’ Henry believes that love has the power to transform. Annabelle’s love has made Jimmy a righteous and sincere person. It is left unsaid whether Annabelle accepts Jimmy in the end or not. Nonetheless, Annabelle’s love for Jimmy has set him on the right path
IDENTITY
The mystery regarding identity makes Jimmy’s character complex. He is not consistent with any of his identities. It shows his lack of trust and confidence. His identity as an incarcerated inmate is left behind as he becomes a free man. While in prison, he is referred to as prisoner 9762, who is completely at odds with the outside Jimmy.
As a prisoner, he is not more than a few figures. While outside of prison he becomes someone of importance. He receives a cigar, a handshake and walks into some sunlight. He dresses in brand new polished clothes befitting Jimmy Valentine and not prisoner 9762. There exists a stark contrast between all identities.
The identity of Jimmy Valentine is short-lived as he then embodies Ralph D. Spenser. Spenser is a successful businessman, who is about to marry the love of his life. Possibly, Jimmy’s new identity is everything he really wants to be. He has the luxury of taking on whatever role he likes, according to the situation. However, it is not possible to do away with Jimmy entirely. There are still traces of him left.
When he frees Agatha from inside the vault, he finally gets that he cannot run away. By opening the safe, Jimmy admits to his real self. Throughout the story, Jimmy has tried to avoid who he really is. Finally, he embraces his true identity and comes into terms with himself.
JUSTICE AND LAW
There has been harsh criticism regarding the arguable way in which Ben Price deals with the criminal Jimmy. It is highly questionable why the justice system failed to rehabilitate Jimmy. He is released earlier, without going through with his four-year punishment. It also makes the readers doubt the motives of the authorities.
The pardon given by the governor of Arkansas settles that even the higher up people are not true to their jobs. This implies that the justice system is corrupt. The deceit goes far beyond the prison cells.
Jimmy does not take the prison system seriously. He knows it is flawed and can be easily manipulated. He knows from the beginning that his friends will help buy his way out. He has no appreciation for his freedom as he knows he is not going to serve the full sentence.
Jimmy’s punishment is legal but it is not justice. He is exploited and made to work in a prison shoe shop. Instead of helping him become decent and respectable, the prison takes advantage of him. His experience in prison has been nothing but a nuisance to him. He learns nothing during his sentence.
Jimmy is a runaway and a fugitive of the law. He starts his life with Annabelle without any regard for his past. His new virtuous life is perfect in every sense. Still, it is based on a lie. He can never truly be happy and free unless he makes up for his sins. It is clear that Jimmy has rectified his mistakes and Ben sees that. He lets Jimmy walk free although, in doing so, he breaks the law.
All of this makes people uncertain of how justice and law are defined. The law is supposed to bring justice or rehabilitate a person, however that does not happen. In Jimmy’s case, love reforms him, not the law.
A Retrieved Reformation Critical Analysis
A Retrieved Reformation is a realistic fiction that is set at the start of the 20th century. Jimmy Valentine is the protagonist and Ben Price is the antagonist of the story. The story is in the third person omniscient. It moves between Jimmy Valentine and Ben Price. It is set mostly in Arkansas and Elmore.
The major conflict in the story is Jimmy’s concealment of his real identity, in order to live a pleasant life. Jimmy goes through an internal battle within himself, whether to cover up his real identity or to keep on stealing. Another conflict is between the main character, Jimmy Valentine and Ben Price. Jimmy is always on the run while Ben tries to apprehend him.
An interesting thing in the story is how Jimmy does not have any motivation to change when he leaves prison. He finds motivation only when he meets Annabelle. O’Henry is probably suggesting that prison, as a form of punishment, is not enough to redeem a person. People need a reason and a purpose in life in order to undergo change. Jimmy’s purpose in life and his reason to become a better man is all because of Annabelle.
Another thing that O’Henry highlights is how difficult it is for someone to reform themselves. Jimmy reveals all the confusion and inner-dilemma the person goes through to change himself. Jimmy’s decision to take on the name of Ralph D.Spencer also shows his insecurities and inner dilemma. It is as if he is trying to achieve what he always wanted by switching his identity to Spencer. His change likely exhibits his desire to have a normal and happy life. O’Henry plays with identity and shows how entwined and complex a person can be. Although Jimmy has taken the name Spenser, he can never forget that he is Jimmy, even when he changes.
A Retrieved Reformation is a perfect example of O’ Henry’s surprise twist endings. Readers believe that Jimmy is bound to go to prison for his crimes but he completely remolds himself. Instead of coming up with the familiar and typical endings, the story has a very unique finale.
A classic technique found in O’ Henry’s stories is how he always comes up with a moral. In this case, the moral is simple. The main idea is that people are capable of mending their errors and follies and redeeming their mistakes. Not only that but also try to absolve and liberate themselves from the guilt of their crimes.
Just like Jimmy, whose life is something no man would be proud of. Still, he does not let his past actions define his present ones. His determination to save Agatha resulted in him rising from the ashes as an evolved human being. If he had gone down the same old detrimental path, he would have ended somewhere with no return ticket. Love becomes his salvation but more than that his determination to change is the ultimate redeemer.
SETTING OF THE STORY
The beginning of “A Retrieved Reformation” starts with a prison in Arkansas. Though, it quickly moves to the outside world. Aside from a quick stop at a friend’s cafe, most of the story takes place in Elmore. Elmore is a pleasant little town that is located five miles from the railroad. When Jimmy first arrives here, he sees that shoes are sold at grocery shops and not at an actual shoe store. His expensive and flashy clothes capture the attention of the locals. It suggests that Jimmy’s old home was in a bigger city where expensive suits are easily found.
TONE AND LANGUAGE
In “A Retrieved Reformation”, the tone is pleasing yet observational. It is pleasing and whimsical even in grim situations. The narrator also stays neutral throughout the story. O’ Henry does not pass judgment on Jimmy. Rather, he allows the readers to come up with their own opinions. The mood is anxious throughout the story.
The language is simple and easily understood.O’ Henry has cleverly used words and expressions familiar to the world of crime. This indicates that he is well informed regarding the subject. O’ Henry uses terms that are often associated with the criminal world. Slangs such as “stir” for prison, “crack” for robbing safes and “job” for crimes can be found in the story.
PLOT DEVELOPMENT
Just like any other story, “A Retrieved Reformation” has certain plot elements. The exposition begins when James or Jimmy Valentine is released from Arkansas prison. His first destination is a city near the prison, where his friend lives.
The rising action starts when Jimmy arrives in Elmore, in hopes of robbing another bank. However, his fraudulent life becomes meaningful when he stumbles upon Annabelle.
The climax kicks off after Annabelle’s niece Agatha gets trapped in the vault. He risks losing his identity to save her.
After contemplating, Jimmy decides to rescue Agatha. This is a turning point for him. The falling action ends here.
In the resolution, the detective Ben Price ignores Jimmy and lets him walk free.
SYMBOLS
SAFE CRACKING TOOLS
As Jimmy handcrafted these tools himself, it emphasizes his skills as a master of his trade. Even Ben Price immediately recognizes the bank burglaries as Jimmy’s work, as only Jimmy possesses the gadgets to do so. Jimmy’s safe-cracking tools are a part of his identity. He cannot part with unless he redeems himself. He decides to give them away but he can never become an honest man unless he faces the truth. The tools that make him a successful safe cracker- also helps him make up for his wrongdoings.
THE ROSE
The rose pinned to Annabelle’s dress has profound significance for Jimmy. He knows that when he saves Agatha, he is going to lose Annabelle’s love. He asks for the rose as something to remember her by when he goes to prison. So the rose is a symbol of his love for her.
MOTIF
JIMMY’S APPEARANCE
Jimmy’s appearance is cited several times in the story. On the surface, he is youthful-looking and pleasing. His looks conceal his true nature, which he uses to his advantage. Jimmy keeps on changing his appearance. He throws away the shabby prison clothes and replaces them with decent looking attire.
This obscures his personality. In Elmore, Jimmy’s appearance makes Annabelle blush and attracts the hotel clerk’s attention. The employees at Elmore bank are also satisfied to see Annabelle’s handsome fiancé. His guise masks his actual character.
IRONY
JIMMY’S LOVE FOR A BANKER’S DAUGHTER
Jimmy steals from banks for a living. He is adept at safe cracking and has made a name for himself. His chance encounter with Annabelle makes him forget about his identity as a thief. Situational irony is exemplified here. Jimmy, who only has interests in robbing banks, in fact, falls in love with a banker’s daughter.
JIMMY’S BAG OF TOOLS
Dramatic irony is evident when Annabelle picks up Jimmy’s bag containing his tools. She remarks that it feels like a bag of gold, oblivious to the truth. Jimmy’s tools have helped him attain so much money that their worth is probably more than gold.
BEN PRICE PRETENDS HE DOES NOT KNOW JIMMY
Although Ben Price chases Jimmy from the start of the story, he does not arrest him. Ben pursues Jimmy for a year. However, chooses to feign ignorance when Jimmy tells Ben to arrest him. The story concludes with situational irony as Ben notices how Jimmy has become a better man.