Henry's "After Twenty Years" tells the story of Jimmy and Bob, two childhood friends who made a pact to meet again after twenty years. At the appointed meeting time and location, a policeman walks up and asks Bob what he's doing. Bob explains that he is waiting to meet with an old friend, and the officer departs.06-Nov-2020
O. Henry's short story, 'After Twenty Years,' focuses on the reunion of two old friends: Jimmy and Bob. Through their brief encounter, the two explore the themes of friendship, loyalty, and trust. Bob's punctuality in keeping his meeting with Jimmy perhaps best demonstrates his loyalty to their friendship.
Authors: O. Henry
Genres: Short story
Explanation:
Themes in 'After Twenty Years'
Despite its surprisingly short length, O. Henry's 'After Twenty Years' has three different thematic elements woven into the plot. Let's take a look at them.
Friendship
O. Henry's short story, 'After Twenty Years,' focuses on the reunion of two old friends: Jimmy and Bob. Through their brief encounter, the two explore the themes of friendship, loyalty, and trust. Bob's punctuality in keeping his meeting with Jimmy perhaps best demonstrates his loyalty to their friendship.
Authors: O. Henry
Genres: Short story
Many of us probably know what it's like to feel compelled to do something out of friendship. Maybe it's working for no money, listening to long stories, or traveling hundreds of miles after 20 years. Bob clearly values the bonds of friendship that were forged between him and Jimmy all those years ago. However, it seems some of the knots may have come loose over the years that tied Jimmy to Bob.
Loyalty
Loyalties to people and ideas can sometimes be difficult to maintain, especially when they're split between a person and an idea that might be close to our hearts. Keeping their 20-year appointment to the minute, Bob's loyalty to Jimmy is obviously unwavering. However, now that's he's a policeman, Jimmy's loyalties to Bob and to the law are put to the test when he discovers his old friend is a wanted fugitive.
Trust
Whom would you trust more: a police officer who arrested his best friend, or someone who would allow his once closest companion to escape? Despite what we might think, it's clear that Bob isn't able to trust Jimmy when it comes to keeping him out of jail. Actually, by the end of the story, it doesn't seem that Bob's able to trust Jimmy about very much at all.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
Henry's "After Twenty Years" tells the story of Jimmy and Bob, two childhood friends who made a pact to meet again after twenty years. At the appointed meeting time and location, a policeman walks up and asks Bob what he's doing. Bob explains that he is waiting to meet with an old friend, and the officer departs.06-Nov-2020
Verified answer
Answer:
O. Henry's short story, 'After Twenty Years,' focuses on the reunion of two old friends: Jimmy and Bob. Through their brief encounter, the two explore the themes of friendship, loyalty, and trust. Bob's punctuality in keeping his meeting with Jimmy perhaps best demonstrates his loyalty to their friendship.
Authors: O. Henry
Genres: Short story
Explanation:
Themes in 'After Twenty Years'
Despite its surprisingly short length, O. Henry's 'After Twenty Years' has three different thematic elements woven into the plot. Let's take a look at them.
Friendship
O. Henry's short story, 'After Twenty Years,' focuses on the reunion of two old friends: Jimmy and Bob. Through their brief encounter, the two explore the themes of friendship, loyalty, and trust. Bob's punctuality in keeping his meeting with Jimmy perhaps best demonstrates his loyalty to their friendship.
Authors: O. Henry
Genres: Short story
Many of us probably know what it's like to feel compelled to do something out of friendship. Maybe it's working for no money, listening to long stories, or traveling hundreds of miles after 20 years. Bob clearly values the bonds of friendship that were forged between him and Jimmy all those years ago. However, it seems some of the knots may have come loose over the years that tied Jimmy to Bob.
Loyalty
Loyalties to people and ideas can sometimes be difficult to maintain, especially when they're split between a person and an idea that might be close to our hearts. Keeping their 20-year appointment to the minute, Bob's loyalty to Jimmy is obviously unwavering. However, now that's he's a policeman, Jimmy's loyalties to Bob and to the law are put to the test when he discovers his old friend is a wanted fugitive.
Trust
Whom would you trust more: a police officer who arrested his best friend, or someone who would allow his once closest companion to escape? Despite what we might think, it's clear that Bob isn't able to trust Jimmy when it comes to keeping him out of jail. Actually, by the end of the story, it doesn't seem that Bob's able to trust Jimmy about very much at all.