A retrive reformation
Investigate, Inquire, and Imagine
1a. What advice does the warden give Jimmy just before Jimmy is released from prison? How does Jimmy respond to the warden?
To become a better man, stop breaking safes open and live a better life. Jimmy said, me? I've never broke open a safe in my life as if he is so innocent.
2a. What does the clerk hand to Jimmy as he is released from prison? What does Jimmy do with it?
They gave him 5 dollars more to become a better man. Jimmy gives the money to a blind guy on the street.
3a. What happens to Jimmy in front of the Elmore Bank?
He sees a beautiful girl names Annabel Adams and he falls in love with her.
1b. Why do you think the warden offers this advice? Do you agree with the warden? Why do you think Jimmy responds the way he does? Do you think the warden believes Jimmy's response? Do you believe Jimmy's response?
I think the warden offers this advice to tell Jimmy that he should be good and not bad. Yes I do if I were to tell a criminal to do the right thing I would hope they would do it. Maybe because he wants to pretend that he was innocent and didn't do anything. I don't think so because then why would he be in jail? No because why would he be in jail?
2b. Do you think Jimmy has a good chance of changing his life immediately after his release from prison? Why, or why not? What would make it easier for Jimmy to get an honest start?
Yes because he has a fresh new start to make life better again. To give away all his tools and to start a better business that doesn't involve stealing or anything illegal.
3b. Do you think this is the only thing that changes Jimmy Valentine? Explain.
Probably not because I don't think he would only want to change to have a girl trust in him. Maybe he just wanted to have a better character.
4a. Identify what you think is the main or central conflict in "A Retrieved Reformation." Is the main conflict between Jimmy and the prison system? Jimmy's new life and his past life? Jimmy and Ben Price? Explain.
I think the main conflict is that Jimmy is trying to change and become a better person. Because throughout the whole story it talks about how he was trying to change and gain people's trust.
4b. Based on your analysis of the central conflict in the story, what is the point in which that conflict gets resolved? In other words, what finally ends the conflict? Is it when Jimmy falls in love? When Jimmy writes the letter to Billy? When Ben Price pretends not to recognize Jimmy? Why does this event resolve the conflict?
When he writes the letter he says "I tell you, she's a wonderful girl. She trusts me." I think he really wanted to gain people trust so they would believe him more.
5a. What reasons does Jimmy give for his new and honest life in the letter he writes to Billy. Do the reasons seem genuine? Explain.
He says that he has a nice shop, he is going to marry a beautiful girl who has his trust. And he would never touch another man's money again. They seem pretty genuine to me because the fact that he took the time to write out a letter is good enough for me.
5b. What do you think Jimmy's relationship with Annabel offers him that he didn't have before? If Jimmy hadn't met Annabel, how else do you think he could have found the qualities that would make him want to live an honest life? Do you think he would have found them had he not met Annabel? Explain.
Now that he is in a relationship he is trying hard for her to keep his trust and that is motivating him. Maybe if he had a nice job that would motivate him to keep it. Yes because he could have started a new business all on his own.
Understanding Literature
Character and Characterization. Who is the protagonist in this story? Who is the antagonist in this story? Categorize each of these characters as one-dimensional or three-dimensional, and explain why. Identify some examples of O. Henry's use of characterization in the story. Does he use all three techniques of characterization? Does he rely on one technique more than the others? Explain.
Jimmy Valentine is a three dimensional character because his personality changes throughout the story. I think the antagonist is Ralph Spencer (his other half), I think he is one dimensional because his character doesn't really change through the story. For characterization I notice he used indirect characterzation more then once,
Verbal Irony. Look back through the story and complete your graphic organizer. For each example of verbal irony, note what you think the true meaning is and how it adds to the story. In general, how does O. Henry use verbal irony in this story—to create humor or to make a point? Explain your answer.
“Ralph, how heavy this bag is! It feels full of gold.” (Pg. 51) this has irony in it because that was the bag he used to carry his gold in. O. Henry uses verbal irony in the story so the mood of the story isn’t boring and makes its more funny.
Writer's Journal
1. Imagine that you are Ben Price before he meets up with Jimmy Valentine in the town of Elmore. Write the copy for a wanted poster for the capture of Jimmy Valentine. What important clues will you include on the poster to help citizens recall whether they have seen Jimmy Valentine anywhere and thereby help the police capture him?
Wanted Jimmy Valentine A.K.A Ralph Spencer
middle 20's
Wanted for stealing for $1500 in banks every where.
2. Imagine that you are Jimmy Valentine sitting in your cell after you have just been told that you'll be released from prison soon. Write an outline or a long narrative list of what you want to do once you are free. Do you want to go back to committing burglary? Do you want to make a fresh start? If so, how will you do it? Can you think of a way to make a fresh start that doesn't involve burglary?
1. Have a better life
2. Get a good job
3. Eat
4. Find nice clothes
5. Find a loving wife
6. Have a family
7. Find a partner in crime
3. Create a character sketch for Jimmy Valentine. Note details about his physical appearance, the way he talks, his personality, events in his life, and any significant changes in his personality or behavior.
-middle 20's
-dark brown hair
-tall
-wears hoddies
-wears black
Vocabulary
1. I once had a ___________________ that left my muscles very weak.
Convulsion
2. The ___________________ he received for stealing the cash seemed fair to me.
Retribution
3. He ___________________ left the theater in the middle of the movie.
Unobtrusively
4. We listened to each candidate's ___________________ before casting our vote.
Platform
5. She ___________________ greeted the guests, happy to show off her new house.
Genially
6. I knew he was angry, yet he maintained a __________________ smile.
Eminent
7. I wanted a __________________ to help me plan the party.
Confederate
8. He received no __________________, even though he'd never gotten in trouble before.
Clemency
9. She ___________________ looked over her exam before turning it in.
Assiduously
10. In our grade, Ralph became ___________________ for his superior math abilities.
Specious
Language, Grammar, and Style
1. accessible
Correct
2. cellar
Correct
3. bussiness
Business
4. ocurrance
Occurrence
5. orchestera
Correct
6. symbol
Correct
7. deceatful
Deceitful
8. presteage
Presteige
9. lightning
Correct
10. artical
Article