A Retrieved Reformation

O. Henry 's three stories, “A Retrieved Reformation,” “The Gift of the Magi,” and “The Last Leaf” demonstrates the talent of this writer. In all three of these stories, unique literary techniques are used to create plot twists and unexpected turns. A common literary technique used in O. Henry 's three stories is irony, which is used to create a humorous and surprising effect. In addition, O. Henry uses foreshadowing in all three stories in order to build suspense as the reader anticipates the surprise ending. The theme that is conveyed throughout “A Retrieved Reformation” is that people can change. Jimmy Valentine is sent to prison because he breaks into banks. Surprisingly, he is freed from prison before his sentence finishes. Jimmy continues…

and break into the vault to save her. He acted to save Agatha out of the kindness of his heart, knowing the risk of being caught by detective Ben Price. It was a hard decision, but he did it because he knew it was the right thing to do. In addition, Jimmy showed compassion was by making an effort to be accepted by his new, welcoming community. In the text, “A Retrieved Reformation,” it states, “Socially he was also a success, and made many friends… he had won the respect of the community,”( O.…

A believable character is one who exhibits similar behavior that is found in reality. Jimmy Valentine, the antihero in the short story, “A Retrieved Reformation”, is a truly realistic person. The fact that he is determined proves that he acts similar to a genuine human being. Subsequently, the traits of being skillful and secretive result in him being lifelike. It is through the development of these attributes within the story that the reader is able to identify him as authentic. One of Jimmy…

Title “A Retrieved Reformation,” by O. Henry is a story with a “twist of irony” and many themes and lessons that makes it interesting and easy to read. One of the best things about the story, in my opinion, is the lessons learned at the end of the story. The themes in “A Retrieved Reformation” are, the power of love, right vs. wrong, and appearances vs. reality. For Jimmy, the power of love is found throughout the story. Jimmy went to Elmore first to rob, yet another, bank. When he was…

It’s not easy to change, but it’s possible. Jimmy Valentine was a very lovable, caring person. He went from robbing banks to saving a little girl. He did this by becoming a new car. He also had a beautiful wife named Annabel Adams. Jimmy Valentine was dedicated to living a moral life; therefore, he changed his name to start fresh, he gave away his burglary tools, and he saved Agatha risking his life. One way Jimmy Valentine was dedicated to living a moral life was that he changed his name to…

Colin Powell once said, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” On a different note, Kevin Conroy stated, “Everyone is handed adversity in life. No one’s journey is easy. It’s how they handled it that makes people unique.” From these two quotes, one could say that it is possible to overcome adversity through the determination to preserve. Often in life, people will let hardships get the best of them. It can be hard for people to stay…

Self-improvement is a necessary skill everyone needs to know. Whether you’re trying to stick to a new diet, or trying to going to bed earlier, all of these tasks are forms of self-improvement. Self-improvement is a common theme in all three short stories, “Flowers For Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, “A Retrieved Reformation” by O. Henry, and “A Speckled Band” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. All short stories have a character that wanted to improve themselves. Self Improvement can cause other’s lives to…

In the sixteen century, a man named Martin Luther started one of the biggest reformation in the history of the world. This reformation was called “The Protestant Reformation”, which lasted from 1517-1521. The Protestant Reformation movement spread through Europe during the sixteenth century like wildfire, and once it started people began to stand up and take notice. Martin Luther is said to be the most influential voices within the movement. Martin Luther is the reason that religious…

The Protestant Reformation is a religious movement that began with a conflict between the Latin Catholic church and the Lutheran church and their followers. The two had different views in their theology. This happened during a time period in the early 16th century which lasted until the end of the 18th century. The Latin Catholics controlled the people choices including religious and political views. The Latin Catholics engaged in plenty wrong doing from gambling, breaking the rules of celibacy…

Luther’s “95 Theses”: Supporting the Riot or Introducing a Revolutionary Thinking? By Jacob C. Dalley (4106454) American Public University System December 14, 2016 HIST121: Western Civilization before The Thirty Years War Professor Busek The Protestant Reformation dates back to the 16th century. This revolution touched political, religious and cultural aspects of life all over Europe. Martin Luther became the Father the Protestant Reformation, an event that strongly affected the…