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Jimmy Valentine Analysis

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You’ve heard the saying love can change you, but for Jimmy Valentine it turned his whole life around. Jimmy Valentine was a burglar, and a very good one at that. He was caught one time and sent to jail for his mad safe-cracking skills. But because of all “the friends on the outside” he has, the governor decided to sign a pardon and set him free. A detective named Ben Price followed Jimmy and wanted to put him back in jail. After Jimmy was released he went right back on the job until he saw a woman. Valentine then changed his ways, quit his life of crime, changed his name, and got engaged. Jimmy Valentine was truly dedicated to living a moral life because he was responsible, compassionate, and determined.
Jimmy Valentine was dedicated to living a moral life because he was responsible. He showed the trait of responsibility by opening a new business. In the story A Retrieved Reformation it says “He opened a shoe-store and secured a good run of trade.” (Henry 3) Valentine went to the …show more content…

He was determined because he lived up to what the warden said in the beginning of the story. When he was about to get out of jail the warden said ”You’re not a bad fellow at heart. Stop cracking safes, and live straight.” (Henry 1) He was determined because he quit the burglary business and gave away his stuff. This quote demonstrates his willpower; “Say, Billy,I’ve quit the old business--a year ago. I’ve got a nice store. I’m making an honest living, and I’m going to marry the finest girl on earth two weeks from now.” (Henry 4) He showed determination by letting the girl out no matter what it takes. He couldn’t just watch the girl suffer when he knew he could do something about it. He was so single-minded that he broke his own record when getting her out. Jimmy Valentine became a dedicated man because he no longer wanted to be a burglar so, he quit the job, lived up to the warden’s words, and sacrificed

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