Discussion Topic
The meaning and role of the "guardian of the peace" in "After Twenty Years" by O. Henry
Summary:
In "After Twenty Years" by O. Henry, the "guardian of the peace" refers to the police officer who ensures public safety. The officer in the story is revealed to be Jimmy Wells, who recognizes his old friend Bob but cannot arrest him himself due to their past relationship. Instead, he arranges for another officer to make the arrest, highlighting both his duty and personal conflict.
What does "guardian of the peace" mean in "After Twenty Years" by O. Henry?
I understood the term "guardian of the peace" to be synonymous with the term "police officer." "Guardian of the peace" or "guardians of the peace" may have been used frequently in newspapers and magazines as alternative terms for "policeman" or "police officer." O. Henry says this policeman makes a fine picture of a guardian of the peace because of the description he gives of him in the first part of the sentence.
Trying doors as he went, twirling his club with many intricate and artful movements, turning now and then to cast his watchful eye down the pacific thoroughfare, the officer, with his stalwart form and slight swagger, made a fine picture of a guardian of the peace.
His "stalwart form and slight swagger" especially contribute to his "fine picture of a guardian of the peace."
What is most important in O. Henry's description of this particular police officer is...
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that he wants to avoid any suggestion that this might be the man Bob is waiting for in the doorway of the hardware store. O. Henry is describing a typical New York uniformed cop. By the time this cop gets to Bob, the reader will have no suspicion that he is actually Jimmy Wells and that he has come there to meet his old friend. The reader is misled to believe that this is a beat cop who stops to talk to Bob because Bob looks a little suspicious standing in the darkened doorway of a closed store in a neighborhood where almost all the other stores are closed for the night. The fact that this guardian of the peace has been trying doorways all along the block to make sure they are properly locked contributes to the reader's impression that this is a typical cop who has no relationship with the man in the doorway.
As a matter of fact, Jimmy Wells really is a typical New York beat cop. He has obviously been a cop for years. O. Henry describes how he is "twirling his club with many intricate and artful movements" in order to suggest that he has had plenty of years to practice those intricate and artful movements. Jimmy would be forty years old now. He has probably been a cop for almost twenty years. Over time, he has settled into his role as a uniformed beat cop. It is evident in everything he does. Bob describes Jimmy as someone who would like a routine job.
He was a kind of plodder, though, good fellow as he was.
Jimmy's job is perfect for him, and the reader can tell he is happy with it. That would explain the way he plays with his police club and why he walks with a slight swagger. He is probably married, has several children and owns a modest house. He likely works in his garden and takes his family to church every Sunday. He is not wealthy or flashy like Bob, but he has peace of mind and security, whereas Bob will be going off to prison after years of being on the lam.
What does the phrase "guardian of the peace" mean in "After Twenty Years," and how does the officer suit this role?
In the exposition of "After Twenty Years," Jimmy Wells is described as a fine "guardian of the peace" because he fits the role of what is known as the "beat cop." That is, he appears strong and hard-working, trustworthy, confidant, and knowledgeable in his role as patrolman of his neighborhood.
Officer Wells also suits his role as "guardian of the peace" when he obeys his Law Enforcement Oath of Honor which affirms his bravery and honor to the community and law, as well as his integrity as an officer. Indeed, it is because of his sworn oath that Jimmy Wells must report his identification of 'Silky' Bob to headquarters. While he fulfills his commitment to the community that he serves, Officer Wells also demonstrates his personal integrity as well as his professionalism. For, rather than humiliate his old friend, Officer Wells has a plain clothes policeman make the arrest. Further, Jimmy writes Bob a letter of explanation for his conduct.