A Retrieved Reformation By O Henry

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“A Retrieved Reformation” by O. Henry starts off with Jimmy Valentine being released from prison. Jimmy was not a very good person. He broke into and stole from bank’s safes for a living. When he was released from jail, he decided to move to a small town where no one knew who he was and he could start all over again. He immediately sees someone he falls for, Annabel Adams. When he meets her, everything he thought life was changed. One lesson the story suggests is love can change people for the better.
Once Jimmy was in town for a little bit he had a good business and he decided he wanted to stay in Elmore. The author uses this quote to explain how he was doing, “Socially he was also a success, and made many friends. And he accomplished the wish of his heart.” This shows that he was doing great, but also that he met someone he really wanted to be with. Jimmy wanted her to see the best in him and was trying to be a good person. A quote that explains this is, “Mr. Ralph Spencer, the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine’s ashes- ashes left by the the flame of a sudden and alterative attack of love- remained in Elmore, and prospered.” This clearly explains that Jimmy was becoming a new person, a different person, all because of Annabel. The author also uses a …show more content…

In this letter Jimmy explains how he has “quit the old business.” He also continues to explain how well he was doing. He was making a good living and he was going to marry the person he fell in love with the first day he saw her was what he explained in the letter. Additionally, he states in the letter, “It’s the only life. Billy- the straight one.” and, “She believes in me; and I wouldn't do another crooked thing for the whole world.” This proves that he was doing his absolute best and has changed just so he will not disappoint her. Jimmy has done his best even since the very beginning of the

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