Topic: After Twenty Years

Subject: English Literature

Class: VIII

After Twenty Years ~ O. Henry

(Q&A)
1. What kind of character does the story "After Twenty Years" have?
There are three characters in the story "After Twenty Years". One is Bob who is a true and
sincere friend. He wants to fulfill his promise at any cost. His friend Jimmy Wells has
joined the police department. The two friends meet each other after twenty years. Bob does
not know that the man in the police uniform is his old friend Jimmy Wells. Jimmy is dutiful
and honest person. He gives preference to duty over friendship. The third character who
comes to arrest Bob is also a police officer. He is dressed in plain clothes. He is sent by
Jimmy Wells to arrest Bob.

2. What is the climax of the story "After Twenty Years"?

The climax of the story "After Twenty Years" is when Bob sees that the man he is talking
to is not his friend. Actually, the man is a police officer in plain clothes. He gives Bob a
letter from Jimmy. Bob learns from the letter that the police officer whom he met earlier
was Jimmy, his old friend.

3. How would you describe Jimmy and Bob's personalities in the story?
Jimmy and Bob are close friends. Jimmy is a police officer whom we see on his routine
patrol duty. He is a dutiful as well as an honest officer. When he comes to know that his
friend is a wanted criminal in Chicago, he does not have the courage to arrest him himself.
He sends another policeman who arrest Bob. As far as Bob is concerned, he is man having
pale face. He is fond of smoking cigars. He want to collect money. For this he is ready to
commit crimes. He is a true friend. He want to fulfill his promise at any cost.

4. The ending of "After Twenty Years" fill the reader with poignancy, (Strong effect of
feeling -sad) making the story effective. Discuss?
The reader expects that Bob and Jimmy Wells, the two close friends, would meet each
other after long separation. They would share their experiences of the past twenty years.
But instead, the ending of the story fills him with poignancy when one of the friends is
arrested by police. In spite of the tragic end, the author makes the story very effective. Bob
is not arrested by Jimmy Wells directly. he sends another police officer to arrest him.

5. How does the writer prepare for the end of the story?
The writer prepares for the end of the story contrary to the expectations of the readers. The
story begins very interestingly. Two close friends Bob and Jimmy meet each other after
twenty years. Bob does not recognize Jimmy in the police uniform. After Jimmy's
departure, another police officer in plain clothes comes whom Bob considers to be his
Jimmy. The police officer arrests Bob because he is wanted in Chicago.