A Retrieved Reformation

What is Jimmy doing when we are first introduced to him in the story?

• Working intently on shoes in the prison shoe shop.

• Working carelessly on shoes in the prison shoe shop.

• Leaving prison with a Governor's pardon.

• Speaking with the warden about his crimes.

"Jimmy took it in a tired kind of way. He had served nearly ten months of a four year sentence. He had expected to

stay only about three months, at the longest. When a man with as many friends on the outside as Jimmy Valentine had is received in the "stir" it is hardly worth while to cut his hair."

Which statement best summarizes this excerpt?

• Jimmy had already served 10 months and didn't feel that he could last much longer in prison.

• All of Jimmy's friends were not in prison and he was planning to "break out".

• Because Jimmy was innocent, he would be leaving soon once his friends testified for him.

• Jimmy was disappointed that he had to serve 10 months considering all the "important" friends he had, however, he still served just a short time.

"The clerk handed him a railroad ticket and the five-dollar bill with which the law expected him to rehabilitate himself into good citizenship and prosperity."

Which statement BEST illustrates the IRONY of this excerpt?

• The State expected Jimmy to turn the 5 dollars into a prosperous business.

• Jimmy had no where to go with the railroad ticket.

• The State expected Jimmy to use bad clothes and 5 dollars to reform from a thief that steals thousands of dollars.

• Jimmy has already rehabilitated and does not the clothes and money.

Which statement MOST ACCURATELY shows the fact that Jimmy intends to continue his "old habits"?

• "Got anything on?" asked Mike Dolan, genially.

• "There on the floor was still Ben Price's collar-button that had been torn from that eminent detective's shirt-band when they had overpowered Jimmy to arrest him."

• "He got his key and went upstairs, unlocking the door of a room at the rear."

• "In half an hour Jimmy went down stairs and through the cafe. He was now dressed in tasteful and well-fitting clothes, and carried his dusted and cleaned suit-case in his hand."

"A young lady crossed the street, passed him at the corner and entered a door over which was the sign, "The Elmore Bank." Jimmy Valentine looked into her eyes, forgot what he was, and became another man."

Choose the BEST summary.

• Jimmy changed his identity to sneak into the bank.

• Jimmy was so impressed with the young lady that he lefty the bank.

• Jimmy saw someone that he thought might recognize him.

• Jimmy saw a young lady that made him forget about stealing.

"The clerk was impressed by the clothes and manner of Jimmy. He, himself, was something of a pattern of fashion to the thinly gilded youth of Elmore, but he now perceived his shortcomings. While trying to figure out Jimmy's manner of tying his four-in-hand he cordially gave information."

How does Jimmy affect the clerk?

• The clerk is jealous of Jimmy.

• The clerk is suspicious of Jimmy.

• The clerk realizes that even his fashion is below Jimmy's.

• Jimmy realizes that he has a better sense of fashion that anyone in the town.

"Mr. Ralph Spencer, the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine's ashes--ashes left by the flame of a sudden and alterative attack of love--remained in Elmore, and prospered. He opened a shoe-store and secured

a good run of trade."

In Greek myth, a phoenix is a supernatural bird that dies and is reborn in fire. The rebirth is often better than the previous incarnation.

Which statement BEST summarizes this allusion?

• Jimmy has decided to quit being a thief and become an honest businessman named Ralph Spencer.

• Jimmy has cleverly changed his image to Ralph Spencer. There he can stay in Elmore and rob the bank.

• Jimmy changes his identity so that he can marry the banker's daughter and gain access to the bank.

• Jimmy pretends to open a shoe store so that he can stay in Elmore and be close to Annabel.

Select the statement that Best shows Jimmy's sincere attempt to change.

• I want you to wind up some

  little matters for me.

• After I get married I'm going to sell out and go West, where there won't be so much danger of having old scores brought up against me.

• I

  wouldn't touch a dollar of another man's money now for a million.

• I'll bring along the tools with me.

"Hardly believing that she heard him aright, she unpinned the bud from the bosom of her dress, and placed it in his hand. Jimmy stuffed it into his vest-pocket, threw off his coat and pulled up his shirt-sleeves. With that act Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place."

The title of the story is, "A Retrieved Reformation". Choose the statement that best reflects the underlined sentence (red).

• Jimmy throws his reformation away to save the girl.

• Jimmy retrieves his reformation by choosing to tell Annabel who he is.

• Jimmy reforms for the first time to save the girl's life.

• Jimmy retrieve's his reformation by no longer pretending to be Ralph Spencer.

Which of the following best illustrates the resolution of the story?

• Jimmy retrieved his own reformation when he told the truth.

• Jimmy had changed so much that Ben Price did not recognize him.

• Ben Price retrieves Jimmy's reformation for him.

• Ben price takes Jimmy back to prison to retrieve his reformation.