AFTER TWENTY

YEARS

WILLIAM SYDNEY PORTER (O.

HENRY)
WILLIAM SYDNEY PORTER (O. HENRY)
• (September 11, 1862 - June 5, 1910)
• An American writer known for his short stories.
• Also wrote poetry and non-fiction.
• Credited for creation of The Cisco Kid
WILLIAM SYDNEY PORTER (O. HENRY)
• Works: The Gift of the Magi, The Duplicity of
Hargraves, The Ransom of Red Chief, Cabbages and
Kings, etc.
• Other Jobs: Clerk in a drugstore, A teller at the Bank,
Reporter, Columnist, Occasional Cartoonist.
CHARACTERS
OF THE STORY
 Bob “Silky”
• a wanted criminal from Chicago
• Jimmy’s best friend from childhood.
 Jimmy Wells
• a police officer
• Bob’s best friend from childhood
 Supporting Character
The plainclothes police officer
• the one who impersonates Jimmy
Wells
SETTING AND POINT
OF VIEW
SETTING:
• Place: Street in New York City
• Time: 20th century
POINT OF VIEW:
• Omniscient
 SUMMARY: AFTER TWENTY YEARS
Bob and Jimmy Wells had been as close as brothers.
However, once Bob left to pursue his fortunes in the West, the
two eventually lost touch. Nevertheless, they had promised to
meet each other in 20 years, to the hour, after their last dinner
together at the same spot in New York City.
Twenty years later, Bob's waiting outside where the restaurant
once stood when he and Jimmy parted ways; the latter, who's
now a policeman, comes upon him while he's walking his
beat. After hearing Bob's story about the friends' pledge to
meet up again and watching him light up a cigar, Jimmy
recognizes it's Bob.
He also realizes his old friend is a fugitive from Chicago,
whom he'd seen earlier on a police bulletin. At that point, Bob
isn't aware that the policeman is Jimmy, who goes about on
his patrol, leaving the outlaw to wait for his friend.
After a few moments, another man appears. At first, Bob
thinks he is Jimmy. Although Bob can't see the man too well
in the dark, he begins to notice that some things are off about
him. Eventually, the man reveals that he's a plainclothes
officer taking Bob under arrest. Before he does so, he hands
Bob a note from the patrolman, who turns out to be his former
best friend and betrayer, Jimmy.
STYLE, TONE, AND LANGUAGE
OF THE DRAMA
 STYLE
• It is written in a detailed manner.
• The author can tell you all about the characters,
their most private feelings, their past, even their
futures.
• The author also uses image and symbols
 TONE
• The tone is suspenseful throughout the story.
• There is most likely a mood that also does
not change.
 LANGUAGE
• The language used is very easy to
understand.
• The author use figurative languages
 Themes
• Friendship
• Loyalty
• Trust
 Image
• The lights of the shop where the old
restaurant stands long ago and where Bob
and Jimmy Wells agreed to meet after twenty
years.
 Symbolism
• Diamond - signify the kind of material
success that Bob’s life of crime out west
has provided him.
• Big Joe Brady’s Restaurant - symbolizes
the relationship between Jimmy and Bob.
 Political sense
• Duty and Responsibility. The agreement
between 2 people who promised that they
will see each other again after twenty years.
 Cultural sense
• People going home early.
 Moral sense
• Choosing the right thing to do.
• Time could change people
• Loyalty between friends can change.