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After Twenty Years by O. Henry Character Analysis
After Twenty Years by O. Henry Character Analysis
By O. Henry
Character analysis
O. Henry talks about two opposite characters who have thought differently and two different
priorities. These two men choose different paths until they finally meet again after twenty years.
Bob is materialistic and greedy. But a loyal friend of Jimmy. He wants to make money by hook
or crook to live a luxury life. But he has no home, no family, and no security, he spent his money
on himself to show off. It is important to him to get the attention of other people and he doesn’t
stay at any place for a long time in order to hide from the police, and it is doubtless that he will at
last in lock-up sooner or later.
On the other hand, Jimmy Wells who is a common man. He wants a respectable secure job that
is socially beneficial. Family and home is his priority. Jimmy is religious as well. He loves his
job and he will get a pension for the rest of his life. Bob is a wanted criminal and Jimmy as a
policeman, recognize Bob (as a criminal) and send another policeman to arrest him.
Theme
In the story After Twenty Years by O. Henry we have the theme of friendship, transformation,
criminality and commitment. This story is written in the third person, after going through the
story the reader perceives that the writer is talking about the bond of friendship between two
persons and they promise to meet after twenty years. Bob has kept his promise after twenty years
that he would come to meet Jimmy at that old restaurant in New York. This dedication shows
that Bob has never forgotten his friend Jimmy and most likely this friendship would have a deep
impression on bob’s professional life but as a policeman he kept his duty as first priority. While
waiting for Jimmy, bob is talking to the policeman (who is actually Jimmy) and bob is a wanted
criminal in Chicago. Jimmy couldn’t arrest him, so he sent another cop to arrest him and that cop
handed bob a note in which Jimmy told him that with whom he was talking was actually me
(Jimmy wells).
Techniques
Following techniques are used in this short story
1. Cause and effects
2. Compare and contrast
3. Symbolism
Cause and effect
Bob got arrested and cops will put him in prison because he committed crime.
Here crime is cause and effect or result is going to prison.
Bob wanted to earn a lot of money so he indulged himself in criminal activities
Here money is cause and committing crime is effect or result.
Compare and contrast
The only thing that has comparison is the loyal friendship between Bob and Jimmy wells, love
for each other and firmness on their promise to meet again after twenty years.
On the other hand there are many different (contrast) things are in both main characters, like
Jimmy is doing a secure and respectable job as a policeman and Bob is a criminal wanted in
Chicago.
Symbolism
Big Joe Brady's Restaurant is the symbol in the story where the both promised to meet after
twenty years while dinning in.