30 pages • 1 hour read
O. HenryA Retrieved Reformation
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1903A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
Identity and Transformation
Transformation and identity lie at the center of “A Retrieved Reformation,” as Jimmy Valentine shifts from prisoner “Valentine, 9762” to “Mr. James Valentine,” master safecracker, to the upstanding businessman Ralph D. Spencer, and back again, before settling on the identity that offers the happy future he’s looking for.
When Jimmy is released from prison, “Valentine, 9762, was chronicled on the books, ‘Pardoned by Governor,’ and Mr. James Valentine walked out into the sunshine” (1). As soon as possible, Jimmy changes from a prison-issue cheap suit to his own tailored and well-fitting clothes to reflect his return to a persona with charm, charisma, and plenty of connections among powerful people. That aspect of his personality is so well-known that police detective Ben Price refers to him as “Dandy Jim Valentine” (2).
Just like clothing, love has the power to transform one’s identity. When he arrives in the little town of Elmore, Jimmy sees a young lady crossing the street. Upon looking into her eyes, he “forgot what he was, and became another man” (2). The man he becomes is Ralph D. Spencer, up and coming businessman, who opens a shoe store and gets engaged to the lovely Annabel Adams, daughter of the local banker. In becoming Spencer—“the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine’s ashes” (3)—Jimmy has completely abandoned his former identity, or so he thinks.
So determined is Jimmy to abandon his former self that he decides to pass his expensive and custom-designed set of safecracking tools to an old friend and even move West to escape detection. His resolve is tested when, on a visit to the bank, Annabel’s niece becomes trapped inside the vault. When Annabel asks him to help, he takes the rose pinned to her dress, takes off his coat, and rolls up his sleeves. In doing so, he reverts back to his former self: “With that act Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place” (4).
Now exposed, Jimmy prepares to leave “Mr. Spencer” and the promise of a better life behind: “Jimmy Valentine put on his coat, and walked outside the railings towards the front door. As he went, he thought he heard a far-away voice that he once knew call ‘Ralph!’ But he never hesitated” (4). Even as he walks toward the door, his hoped-for new life is already fading away. He is now prepared to remain Jimmy Valentine, with all that implies.
When Jimmy encounters Price in the doorway, he appears ready to accept his fate: “Got around at last, have you? Well, let’s go. I don’t know that it makes much difference, now” (4). Price, having witnessed Jimmy’s efforts to save Agatha, simply says, “Don’t believe I recognize you” (4), and walks away, leaving “Mr. Spencer” free to go. O. Henry depicts Jimmy Valentine as a dynamic character capable of evolution and self-sacrifice. However, despite Jimmy’s transformation, he will always be Jimmy Valentine, even if he is no longer a criminal. In this way, O. Henry suggests that identity is multifaceted, and people cannot shed who they are on the inside.
Professionalism and Work Ethic
Both Jimmy Valentine and Ben Price are consummate professionals at their jobs, and his theme is expressed in a variety of ways throughout the story. Even as a mere cobbler in the prison shoe-shop, Jimmy shows integrity with his consistent work ethic. Outside of prison, Jimmy’s reputation as a safecracker is well known, and his burglar’s tools are top of the line. His tools are custom made with additions designed by Jimmy himself: “Over nine hundred dollars they had cost him to have made at—, a place where they make such things for the profession” (1). Jimmy takes pride in his work, and he initially defines his personality based on these external traits and accomplishments.
As the string of safe-burglary jobs multiplies in the wake of Jimmy’s release from prison, the crimes draw the attention of Price, who was responsible for Jimmy’s arrest in Springfield. Price, an “eminent” detective, even lost a shirt button in the struggle. Price is a dedicated officer of the law, who determines to get Jimmy for good this time. Price is aware that Jimmy’s release was due to some political maneuvering, which undermined his own hard work to see justice done: “Yes, I guess I want Mr. Valentine. He’ll do his bit next time without any short-time or clemency foolishness” (2). Price is well known for his skill and dedication, and now that he’s on the case, “other people with burglar-proof safes felt more at ease” (2). That dedication brings him to Elmore, where he unobtrusively collects information about Jimmy’s new life in the town.
When Jimmy decides to use his tools to save Agatha, he sets to work with the same intensity and skill that made him famous as a safe cracker:
From that time on he seemed to be unconscious of the presence of anyone else. He laid out the shining, queer implements swiftly and orderly, whistling softly to himself as he always did when at work. From that time on he seemed to be unconscious of the presence of anyone else. He laid out the shining, queer implements swiftly and orderly, whistling softly to himself as he always did when at work (4).
In the end, though, little Agatha’s rescue engages both men’s sense of professionalism and dedication, with surprising outcomes. Jimmy deliberately abandons his Ralph Spencer persona and resurrects his old self to save a little girl’s life, knowing the price he must pay. Price abandons a year of diligent detective work and a single-minded intent to bring Jimmy to justice, letting him go in acknowledgment of that selfless act. With this ironic ending, O. Henry calls to question the moral line between “good” and “bad.” He suggests that both men—a career criminal and a well-respected detective—toe the same line despite their apparent differences. Fundamentally, both Jimmy Valentine and Ben Price are ethical in their choices, in contradiction of the law.
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