The mood of “A Retrieved Reformation” is primarily lighthearted and entertaining. The story opens with Jimmy being released from prison and, while a scene like this could be one of tears and joy, Jimmy seemingly feels very little about his impending freedom. He simply jokes around with the warden and then, upon release, eats an indulgent meal before taking the train home. As Jimmy returns to his criminal ways, he doesn’t seem to feel any regret or concern and, again, jokes around with his criminal friend Mike about it.
The primary mood shift comes when Jimmy travels to Elmore with the intention of robbing the bank, only to fall in love with the bank owner’s daughter Annabel on sight. The mood shift in this moment is subtle and yet still notable, as seen in the following passage:
Jimmy, looking like an athletic young senior just home from college, went down the board sidewalk toward the hotel.
A young lady crossed the street, passed him at the corner and entered a door over which was the sign “The Elmore Bank.” Jimmy Valentine looked into her eyes, forgot what he was, and became another man.
This passage opens with the usual lighthearted tone—Jimmy is described as “looking like an athletic young senior just home from college”—before shifting slightly when Jimmy sees Annabel. Here, the narrator describes how Jimmy “looked into her eyes, forgot what he was, and became another man.” The weighty description of Jimmy “becoming another man” is notable—to this point, he has not changed in the slightest, even after being in and out of prison several times. However, after seeing Annabel, he becomes someone new. After this moment, the mood of the story, while still lighthearted, carries more weight, as Jimmy now has a personal stake in transforming into a better man. He does do this, of course, and ultimately finds redemption, with the detective Price ultimately forgiving him of his past criminal deeds.
