Structure and Stylistic devices of “After twenty years” by O’ Henry
Submitted to: Miss Sumera
Submitted by: Aniza Batool
Department of English language and literature university of Punjab Lahore.
The title “After twenty years” shows the conflict of the story and irony that "After Twenty Years" the friendship was betrayed by Jimmy's honesty and good character because after twenty years Jimmy Wells is now a policeman while Bob has become 'Silky Bob,' a criminal who is wanted in Chicago. When Bob strikes a match, Patrolman Wells recognizes his old friend and realizes he is a wanted criminal. But, "after twenty years," he does not have the heart to arrest his old friend; consequently, he sends an undercover man to arrest his own friend. Who stands waiting in the doorway of the former restaurant. The title also depicts that that how “after twenty years” life of the people change as one becomes the policeman and the other become criminal.
The story "After Twenty Years" by O 'Henry, begins with the policeman is walking down the street checking doors. He sees the man standing in the dim doorway smoking a cigarette. This doorway is on a city block that houses business that close early hours. The location is New York and at one time the store had been a restaurant. The wind is a little chilly. O henry paints a dark and abandon city street at midnight. Shades and dark element of the setting compliment the feeling of uncertainty.
The story action rises as policeman stops to talk to the man, and he is told about the childhood friends who agreed to meet at this very spot after 20 years. They talk about how the area has changed. And the man “Bob” recounts all his past memories. That "Twenty years ago to-night...He dined here at 'Big Joe' Brady's with Jimmy Wells, his best chum. He and Jimmy were raised here in New York, just like two brothers He went to west and they made promise that they meet here after twenty years.
The climax of the...