Jimmy Valentine
O. Henry
1.“Ben Price investigated the scene of the robberies and was heard to remark…”-Who was Ben Price? What did
he say? When did Ben Price come to know of Jimmy’s habits? What did he know of Jimmy’s habits? 1+2+1+2
Ans: Ben Price was a noted detective who knew Jimmy very well from Springfield case.
After investigating the sites of the robberies, Ben Price understood who the real culprit was. He said that
Jimmy had resumed his business as no other thief had the capacity of executing crime with such perfection.
Ben Price came to know of Jimmy’s habits while working on the Springfield case.
Ben Price knew Jimmy’s habits very well i.e. Long jumps, quick get ways, no confederates and a taste of good
society. These typical habits made him different from others.
2. “Can’t you do something, Ralph-try wont you?”- Who said this? Why did the speaker say this? How did the
person spoken to react? 1+3+2
And:
When the elders were busy, May, the nine year old girl of Annbel’s married sister shut Agatha in a spirit of play.
The clock had not been wound. The combination was not set. There was no way left to open the door. Agatha’s
mother wailed hysterically and beat the door. Mr. Adams was at loss. So Annabel requested Ralph to do something as
like other she too believed nothing was impossible to her soul mate.
Ralph looked at Annabel with a soft smile and asked her to give him the rose she was wearing. Stuffing it in his
vest pocket, he opened his suitcase. Finally breaking his own record he rescued Agatha safely.
3. “Guess you’re mistaken, Mr Spencer, he said”- who said this to whom? What was the real name of Mr
Spencer? Was it really a mistake? Elucidate your answer.2+1+1+2
Or, “And the Ben Price acted rather strangely.” What was Ben Price’s strange action? Why did he act rather
strangely?
Ans:
At Elmore Bank, Ben price saw with his own eyes the transformation of Ralph De Spencer from a notorious
safe cracker. He has transformed himself with the warmth of Love of Annabel. In the bank when May, the nine year
old girl of Annbel’s married sister shut Agatha in a spirit of play, Jimmy had to reveal his identity to save the life of
the young girl and put smile on the faces of her mother and family. Then Ben Price realised that Jimmy was no
longer a criminal. So it was not necessary to punish him. So when Jimmy himself surrendered, Ben price refused to
recognise him and let him go.
4. How does O. Henry established a contrast between Jimmy Valentine and Ralph D. Spencer?
Or, Do you think Valentine has really been changed?
Or, How would you prove that Jimmy has really been changed?
Or, What evidence of Jimmy's change is found in the story Jimmy Valentine?
Or, “Mr Ralph Spencer, the phoenix that arose from Jimmy Valentine's ashes..... " Why does the author
compare Jimmy Valentine to phoenix?
Ans: Jimmy Valentine and Ralph D Spencer are the two names of the same person but at two different stages of life.
Both are smart, handsome and intelligent. But they are different by profession and mental disposition.
