1. Discuss the appropriateness of the title of the story 'Jimmy Valentine'.
'Jimmy Valentine' story revolves around Jimmy Valentine's transformation from a criminal to an honest man. The story begins after Jimmy was released from prison. Although Jimmy is the protagonist of the story, his slow-moving nature, sense of humor etc gives him a special recognition. His character changes dramatically after meeting Miss Adams, and she is responsible for a new entity within himself. He transforms from a safe cracker into a completely different person and lives a straight path. But Jimmy again wakes up in the place of Ralph D Spencer trying to save the youngest member of the Adams family.
To save Agatha and not to disappoint his beloved he becomes a hero. Ben Price is forced to forgive Jimmy for this great work.
Since the story is character centred and Jimmy is the main character of the story, the title is appropriate.
2. "Mr Ralph Spencer the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine's ashes" - - -
Where has that line taken from? Who is Ralph? What is Phoenix? Discuss the reason compared to the phoenix.
The above line is taken from the short story of O Henry, 'Jimmy Valentine'.
In the story we observe that Jimmy Valentine, a safe cracker with a new identity of Ralph D Spencer opened a new shoe store in Elmore to live the life of a good citizen.
The phoenix is a mythical bird that takes birth newly from its own ashes.
The phoenix shows the rebirth. In the story we see that Jimmy Valentine becomes a new man, burning in the fire of love of Miss Annabel Adams. He leaves his old life as a safe cracker and starts a new life as a shoe businessman in Elmore. In this way, his inner self is completely changed and he becomes a good person.
So we can conclude that Jimmy had a new birth, like the phoenix.
3. What did Jimmy write to his old friend? Why did he write so?
Jimmy wrote a letter to his friend named Paul that he would like to meet him at Sullivan's place, in Little Rock on Wednesday at nine o'clock at night. He told his friend that he wanted to give his precious tool box as a gift to him. Jimmy also told his friend that he could not copy a toolbox like this even if he would spend thousands of dollars. He also wrote in the letter that he had been living the life of an honest citizen for a year. He was going to marry the most beautiful girl in the world in a week. He also said that he wanted to live a simple life as a gentleman and even if he was given a million, he would not touch a penny of others. Jimmy decided that after marriage, he would move to the West and live a new life.
A safe cracker turned into an ideal honest businessman just for Annabel's love. He became an ideal, honest man. The box of equipment had with him as a reminder of his past criminal activities. And he wanted to start a new life without any trace of his past criminal activities.
So, he wrote the letter.
4. Give a brief description of what was in Jimmy's suitcase. Why was he looking at those things with affection?
In the story 'Jimmy Valentine' we see that Jimmy Went to the Cafe of Mike Dolan after getting out of jail. When he reached his room, he pulled out his dusty suitcase from a wall panel.
This suitcase was precious and unique to Jimmy. Everything in this suitcase was made of hardened steel. It cost him more than nine hundred dollars to make. Jimmy made his tools in the secret dungeon where the thieves made these things. In his suitcase, Jimmy had drills, punches, braces and bits, Jimmies, clamps and auger.
These were one of the most perfect burglar's tools in the East. Some of these devices were invented by Jimmy himself. Jimmy also thought that no one could duplicate those tools. So he looked at his instruments affectionately.
5. What new name did Jimmy Valentine assume at Elmore? What business did he open there? How did Jimmy fare at Elmore?
Jimmy Valentine took the name Ralph D. Spenser to introduce himself at Elmore.
Jimmy had opened a shoe store at Elmore.
Jimmy's business grew in Elmore because there were no particular shoe stores. Mainly the dry-goods and general stores used to handle the shoe business at Elmore. And this proved to be profitable for Jimmy's shoe business. His love for Annabel and his desire to marry her helped him move on to a new life and livelihood. Jimmy made lots of friends in Elmore. He succeeded in gaining respect in the society. Annabel respected him, Mr. Adams loved him, and he became a part of Adams' family.
So, we come to the conclusion that Jimmy fared well in Elmore.
6. How does O Henry distinguish between Jimmy Valentine and Ralph D Spencer?
Or.
How does O Henry establish a contrast between Jimmy Valentine and Ralph D Spencer?
Jimmy Valentine and Ralph D Spencer were two different names of the same person. Who once broke the ark and later became an honest citizen. Jimmy Valentine was a man who was skilled at breaking the vault. Besides that, he was intelligent, handsome and smart.Ralph D Spencer, on the other hand, was a hard working man and respected by the society. Jimmy Valentine was a criminal wanted by Ben Price. But later that Jimmy Valentine became Spencer and gained the respect and admiration of Ben Price by risking his life to save a child.
But we should keep in mind that Ralph D Spencer would not have been born without Jimmy. His love for Annable inspired him to walk the path of righteousness.
Thus, we may conclude that at the end, the two different entities merged in an unimaginable way.
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