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 Valentine’s legitimate qualities can be found when he shows great determination. The evidence that suggests he is determined can be found when he continues to steal even after being thrown in jail. As people with goals often do, he never gave up on what
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What this argument overlooks is that the level of how secretive he is does not dismiss this realistic quality. Valentine expresses this trait when he changes his name to Ralph D. Spencer as he arrives in Elmore. This behavior shows that he wants to stop the townspeople from knowing who he is, similar to a genuine thief. This attribute can also be found when Jimmy lies about the contents of his suitcase to Annabel. This action shows that he wants to keep his life a secret, therefore, making him seem more human. Similarly, his authenticity can be found when he had his lock picking tools behind a wall. “Pulling out from the wall a folding-bed, Jimmy slid back a panel in the wall and dragged out a dust-covered suitcase” (29). This shows that he wants to keep his lock picking tools away from anyone else, which is what a real life bank robber would do. In how he exhibits the trait of being secretive, it consequently allows the reader to connect with him better, making him seem more lifelike.
The character, Jimmy Valentine, exhibits believable traits that allows for him to seem lifelike. The act of Jimmy having determination helps the reader understand him as a real person. The fact that he also exhibits the traits of being skillful and secretive provides evidence that he is realistic. Based upon this additional information, the reader is able to undoubtedly understand Jimmy
What this argument overlooks is that the level of how secretive he is does not dismiss this realistic quality. Valentine expresses this trait when he changes his name to Ralph D. Spencer as he arrives in Elmore. This behavior shows that he wants to stop the townspeople from knowing who he is, similar to a genuine thief. This attribute can also be found when Jimmy lies about the contents of his suitcase to Annabel. This action shows that he wants to keep his life a secret, therefore, making him seem more human. Similarly, his authenticity can be found when he had his lock picking tools behind a wall. “Pulling out from the wall a folding-bed, Jimmy slid back a panel in the wall and dragged out a dust-covered suitcase” (29). This shows that he wants to keep his lock picking tools away from anyone else, which is what a real life bank robber would do. In how he exhibits the trait of being secretive, it consequently allows the reader to connect with him better, making him seem more lifelike.
The character, Jimmy Valentine, exhibits believable traits that allows for him to seem lifelike. The act of Jimmy having determination helps the reader understand him as a real person. The fact that he also exhibits the traits of being skillful and secretive provides evidence that he is realistic. Based upon this additional information, the reader is able to undoubtedly understand Jimmy