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Quizzes > Literature & Language > Books & Literature

Can You Ace the A Retrieved Reformation Quiz?

Ready to tackle Retrieved Reformation questions? Challenge yourself now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut art of book lock and keys on teal background for A Retrieved Reformation trivia quiz featuring Jimmy Valentine

Calling all O. Henry fans and literature lovers! Take our Retrieved Reformation Quiz to explore Jimmy Valentine's daring tale and test your knowledge of Retrieved Reformation questions. This A Retrieved Reformation trivia challenge will see if you recognize every twist in the story, from secret codes to heartfelt choices. Whether this is your first O. Henry quiz or you've mastered a Jimmy Valentine quiz before, you'll sharpen your insights and have fun along the way. Love history too? Try our Renaissance and Reformation quiz or switch up with a Valentine's Day trivia quiz . Ready to ace it? Click start now!

Who is the author of "A Retrieved Reformation"?
O. Henry
Mark Twain
Edgar Allan Poe
F. Scott Fitzgerald
William Sydney Porter wrote under the pen name O. Henry and is the celebrated author of "A Retrieved Reformation". This story showcases his signature style of irony and a surprise twist ending. O. Henry published many popular short stories in early 20th century magazines such as Cosmopolitan. His works remain influential in American literature. Wikipedia
Under what alias does Jimmy Valentine reinvent himself after abandoning his life of crime?
John Smith
William Carter
Ralph D. Spencer
James Sterling
After giving up his criminal ways, Jimmy Valentine adopts the name Ralph D. Spencer to start anew. Under this alias he opens a legitimate shoe store and lives honestly. The new identity helps him evade law enforcement and gain trust in the community. Wikipedia
In which town does Jimmy Valentine open his successful shoe store?
Springfield, Illinois
Pineville, Missouri
Elmore, Arkansas
Jefferson, Texas
The story is set in the small town of Elmore, Arkansas, where Jimmy Valentine establishes his shoe shop. This setting underscores his transformation from a notorious safecracker to a respected local businessman. The choice of a southern town highlights themes of trust and community. Wikipedia
What is Ben Price's occupation in the story?
Bank president
Safecracker
Detective
Store owner
Ben Price serves as the detective who has been tracking down the notorious safecracker Jimmy Valentine. His role represents law and order throughout the narrative. Despite his duty, he shows compassion when he recognizes Jimmy's genuine reformation. Wikipedia
What criminal skill is Jimmy Valentine most renowned for?
Horse theft
Safecracking
Counterfeiting
Forgery
Jimmy Valentine is famous for his expertise in opening safes, which he uses in his bank robberies. His precise techniques and specially crafted tools make him one of the most skilled safecrackers in the story. The narrative centers on this talent and its eventual use for a noble cause. SparkNotes
What event compels Jimmy to use his safecracking tools after reforming?
The bank manager's request
To save a child trapped in the vault
Recover stolen bonds
Retrieve his hidden loot
When a young girl accidentally becomes locked inside the bank vault, Jimmy chooses to reveal his safecracking talent to rescue her. This act demonstrates his genuine change of heart and willingness to risk exposure. It underscores the redemption theme central to the story. Wikipedia
Which item in Jimmy's possession ultimately reveals his criminal past to Ben Price?
His business ledger
His safecracking tools
His old prison uniform
His criminal alias papers
Ben Price discovers Jimmy's hidden set of safecracking tools, confirming his former identity as a notorious burglar. These specialized instruments are unmistakable evidence of his past. Jimmy had hoped these tools would remain concealed, but they become the key to revealing his true nature. Wikipedia
In which collection of short stories was "A Retrieved Reformation" later published?
The Sketch Book
Cabbages and Kings
The Four Million
Whirligigs
"A Retrieved Reformation" was included in O. Henry's 1906 collection The Four Million. This anthology features many of his most celebrated narratives portraying city life and colorful characters. The publication solidified O. Henry's reputation for clever twists. Wikipedia
Which literary motif is central to "A Retrieved Reformation"?
Transformation
Betrayal
Revenge
Isolation
The motif of transformation runs throughout the story as Jimmy Valentine changes from a criminal to a respected citizen. His moral evolution showcases O. Henry's focus on redemption and human potential for change. The safecracking scene highlights this shift when he chooses compassion over crime. LitCharts
What type of irony best describes the ending where Ben Price lets Jimmy go free?
Dramatic irony
Situational irony
Verbal irony
Cosmic irony
It is situational irony because the expected outcome—Jimmy’s arrest—is subverted when Ben Price chooses to let him go. The reader anticipates legal consequences, but Price honors Jimmy's genuine reformation instead. This unexpected turn reinforces the story's themes of mercy and redemption. Literary Devices
Which theme is most prominent in the story?
Greed
Redemption
Isolation
Hubris
Redemption is the dominant theme as Jimmy Valentine reforms and chooses to use his skills for good rather than crime. The narrative emphasizes that personal change and forgiveness are possible. O. Henry uses Jimmy's choices to illustrate moral growth. Study.com
Which early detail in the story foreshadows Jimmy's ultimate choice to save the girl?
His admiration for Annabel
His detailed safe-cracking tools
His brief hesitation at the bank door
His conversation with the banker
The early description of Jimmy's hidden safecracking tools foreshadows their later use to rescue the child. This detail hints at both his criminal skill and the possibility he might apply it differently. O. Henry uses foreshadowing to prepare readers for the climax. SparkNotes
What role does Annabel Adams primarily serve in the narrative?
Villain
Love interest and motivation for change
Comic relief
Narrator
Annabel Adams is Jimmy's love interest, whose father’s esteem prompts Jimmy to reform. Her presence in Elmore represents the civil life Jimmy aspires to. Her character humanizes Jimmy and serves as the catalyst for his reformation. Wikipedia
In what year was "A Retrieved Reformation" first published?
1901
1903
1906
1910
"A Retrieved Reformation" first appeared in the February 1903 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. It was later reprinted in collections including The Four Million. The 1903 publication marks one of O. Henry's early successes. Wikipedia
Which narrative perspective is used in "A Retrieved Reformation"?
First-person
Third-person limited
Third-person omniscient
Second-person
O. Henry employs a third-person omniscient narrator who knows the thoughts and backgrounds of multiple characters. This perspective allows insight into Jimmy's internal struggle and Ben Price's decision. It helps build dramatic irony and thematic depth. LiteraryTerms.net
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Plot Elements -

    Identify and summarize the major events and turning points in O. Henry's "A Retrieved Reformation," from Jimmy Valentine's jailbreak to his final act of heroism.

  2. Analyze Character Transformation -

    Examine Jimmy Valentine's evolution from a notorious safecracker to a reformed citizen and understand the motivations behind his moral change.

  3. Interpret Central Themes -

    Explore themes of redemption, identity, and love in "A Retrieved Reformation" and uncover how they drive the narrative and character decisions.

  4. Evaluate Literary Devices -

    Assess O. Henry's use of irony, plot twists, and narrative structure to create surprise and emotional impact in the story.

  5. Apply Critical Thinking -

    Use evidence from the text to answer Retrieved Reformation quiz questions accurately and support your interpretations with specific details.

  6. Connect Moral Lessons -

    Relate the story's ethical and moral takeaways to broader literary contexts and consider their relevance to real-world scenarios.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Jimmy Valentine's Character Arc -

    A Modern Language Association (MLA) study on JSTOR highlights Jimmy Valentine's journey from notorious safecracker to selfless citizen, showcasing O. Henry's nuanced redemption narrative. Use the "V→H" mnemonic (Valentine to Hero) to quickly recall this pivotal transformation for quiz questions. Key passages in the prison break and Reunion scenes underscore his internal conflict and ultimate moral victory.

  2. Symbolism of the Safe-Cracking Tools -

    Oxford Reference notes that Valentine's tools represent both his criminal past and the temptation he must overcome to reform. Remember the mnemonic "T.T." (Tools & Temptation) to identify questions on literary devices in A Retrieved Reformation. Analyze the scene where Valentine sets aside his tools as a visual metaphor for personal change.

  3. Central Themes: Redemption and Identity -

    Stanford University's literature curriculum stresses how O. Henry weaves redemption and the fluidity of identity into every interaction, particularly in Jimmy's bond with Annabel. The phrase "R.I." (Redemption & Identity) helps you link thematic questions quickly in the Retrieved Reformation quiz. Focus on dialogue in the bank vault scene to see these themes in action.

  4. O. Henry's Signature Twist Ending -

    Harvard Classics analyses emphasize O. Henry's trademark surprise - Jimmy Valentine revealing himself at the bank vault just when his freedom is assured. Use the "Twist-Check Formula" (Identify expectation + pinpoint deviation) to master quiz questions on narrative structure. Pay special attention to the moment Jimmy locks the door on Detective Ben Price - it's the crux of the twist.

  5. Progressive Era Context -

    The Library of Congress archives place Retrieved Reformation in the early 1900s, reflecting societal shifts toward urbanization and professional policing. Tag historical context questions with the "P.E." cue (Progressive Era) to link era-specific details quickly. Understanding this background clarifies why Jimmy's reform resonated with contemporary readers.

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