1a. What advice does the warden give Jimmy just before Jimmy is released from prison? How does Jimmy respond to the warden?
Stop breaking safes and live a better life. Jimmy says he has never broke open a safe in his life.
2a. What does the clerk hand to Jimmy as he is released from prison? What does Jimmy do with it?
He gives him money and Jimmy gives it to a blind man.
3a. What happens to Jimmy in front of the Elmore Bank?
He meets Annabelle.
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?
Yes, Jimmy responds in this way because he knows he will do it again. No I do not because Jimmy lies.
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 prison may have changed him.
3b. Do you think this is the only thing that changes Jimmy Valentine? Explain.
He also changes by meeting Annabelle.
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.
The main conflict is between Jimmy's old life and new life.
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?
The conflict is resolved when Ben price pretends to not recognize Jimmy. This resolves the conflict because Jimmy is free.
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 wants to give away his tools.
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.
Jimmy's relationship shows a truthful side to himself. He may have not found them if he did not meet her.
Understanding LiteratureCharacter 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 three dimensional because he ends up changing.
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.
One part that is ironic is when
Ben Price pretends not to know Jimmy even though he really does.
Vocabulary1. I once had a ___________________ that left my muscles very weak.
specious
2. The ___________________ he received for stealing the cash seemed fair to me.
retribution
3. He ___________________ left the theater in the middle of the movie.
ubtrusively
4. We listened to each candidate's ___________________ before casting our vote.
eminent
5. She ___________________ greeted the guests, happy to show off her new house.
genially
6. I knew he was angry, yet he maintained a __________________ smile.
convulsion
7. I wanted a __________________ to help me plan the party.
clemency
8. He received no __________________, even though he'd never gotten in trouble before.
assiduosly
9. She ___________________ looked over her exam before turning it in.
specious
10. In our grade, Ralph became ___________________ for his superior math abilities.
platform
Language, Grammar, and Style1. accessible
ac·ces·si·ble
2. cellar
cellar
3. bussiness
business
4. ocurrance
ocurrance
5. orchestera
orchestera
6. symbol
symbol
7. deceatful
deceitful
8. presteage
prestige
9. lightning
lightning
10. artical
article
Stop breaking safes and live a better life. Jimmy says he has never broke open a safe in his life.
2a. What does the clerk hand to Jimmy as he is released from prison? What does Jimmy do with it?
He gives him money and Jimmy gives it to a blind man.
3a. What happens to Jimmy in front of the Elmore Bank?
He meets Annabelle.
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?
Yes, Jimmy responds in this way because he knows he will do it again. No I do not because Jimmy lies.
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 prison may have changed him.
3b. Do you think this is the only thing that changes Jimmy Valentine? Explain.
He also changes by meeting Annabelle.
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.
The main conflict is between Jimmy's old life and new life.
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?
The conflict is resolved when Ben price pretends to not recognize Jimmy. This resolves the conflict because Jimmy is free.
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 wants to give away his tools.
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.
Jimmy's relationship shows a truthful side to himself. He may have not found them if he did not meet her.
Understanding LiteratureCharacter 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 three dimensional because he ends up changing.
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.
One part that is ironic is when
Ben Price pretends not to know Jimmy even though he really does.
Vocabulary1. I once had a ___________________ that left my muscles very weak.
specious
2. The ___________________ he received for stealing the cash seemed fair to me.
retribution
3. He ___________________ left the theater in the middle of the movie.
ubtrusively
4. We listened to each candidate's ___________________ before casting our vote.
eminent
5. She ___________________ greeted the guests, happy to show off her new house.
genially
6. I knew he was angry, yet he maintained a __________________ smile.
convulsion
7. I wanted a __________________ to help me plan the party.
clemency
8. He received no __________________, even though he'd never gotten in trouble before.
assiduosly
9. She ___________________ looked over her exam before turning it in.
specious
10. In our grade, Ralph became ___________________ for his superior math abilities.
platform
Language, Grammar, and Style1. accessible
ac·ces·si·ble
2. cellar
cellar
3. bussiness
business
4. ocurrance
ocurrance
5. orchestera
orchestera
6. symbol
symbol
7. deceatful
deceitful
8. presteage
prestige
9. lightning
lightning
10. artical
article