Themes: Friendship versus Duty
“After Twenty Years” was first published in 1906 and is set, like most of O. Henry’s stories, in the present or recent past. The action takes place, therefore, during Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency or earlier, at a time when the United States had a strong ethos of public duty, based on the values of the Roman Republic on which it was modeled. There is no sign of any struggle in Jimmy Wells’s mind between the claims of friendship and duty. If he ever considers letting his friend go for old time’s sake, the author does not mention it. The only concession he makes is to avoid arresting Bob himself. Even then, as he leaves Bob to wait, he ensures that he will stay where he is long enough for the plainclothes detective to arrest him.
Given Jimmy’s apparent single-mindedness in pursuit of his duty, it may seem that the question of friendship versus duty is too easily decided for it to be a major theme. However, the author, who sometimes goes so far as to break the fourth wall and tell the reader what he thinks in other stories, does not align himself with either character or perspective here. Bob never considers the possibility that Jimmy will betray him to the authorities. He does not know that Jimmy is a police officer, but he might still have considered whether such an upright citizen would call the police on discovering that his friend was a well-known criminal. It may be that he thinks Jimmy will never discover this, and does not propose to tell him, but his praise of Jimmy is, nonetheless, consistently directed toward his private character as a friend. Jimmy is his “best chum,” his brother, true and stanch, the type of man who will never forget a promise. This suggests that Jimmy might at least feel a pang of remorse on reflecting that Bob’s personal loyalty is to be his undoing. Whether his decision to leave Bob’s arrest to another man is due to such remorse, to sentimentality, or to moral cowardice is for the reader to decide, as is the larger question of whether he is right to place public duty above friendship.
Expert Q&A
What does Silky Bob's decision to meet his friend, despite being a wanted criminal, reveal about him?
Silky Bob's decision to meet his old friend Jimmy Wells, despite being a wanted criminal, reveals his deep sense of friendship and nostalgia. It suggests he valued their bond, considering Jimmy his best friend even after twenty years. Additionally, Bob's desire to showcase his success indicates a need for validation and pride in his achievements. His journey to New York underscores both his loneliness and the irony of seeking connection while evading the law.
Does Jimmy Wells in O. Henry's "After Twenty Years" justify Bob's description of him as "the finest chap" and "the truest, staunchest man"?
Jimmy Wells explains his reasons for acting as he did in his final note to Bob. Whether you think he is true and staunch, as Bob says, will depend on one's personal answers to two factors. Is public duty more important than personal friendship? Is Jimmy being kind or cowardly in avoiding making the arrest himself?
In "After Twenty Years," how might Jimmy have felt upon realizing his friend Bob was a wanted criminal?
Jimmy likely felt conflicted upon realizing his friend Bob was a wanted criminal. He valued their friendship but also felt a duty to uphold the law. Unable to arrest Bob himself due to their bond, Jimmy arranged for another officer to do it, as indicated by his note: "Somehow I couldn't do it myself." This highlights his internal struggle between personal loyalty and professional responsibility.
What is Jimmy Well's internal conflict in "After Twenty Years"?
Jimmy Wells' internal conflict arises when he recognizes his old friend Bob as a wanted criminal. As a police officer, Jimmy feels the duty to arrest him, but he hesitates due to their friendship. Ultimately, he resolves this conflict by arranging for another officer to make the arrest, ensuring Bob is apprehended without Jimmy having to directly confront his friend. Jimmy's note to Bob explains his decision and the struggle he faced.
In "After Twenty Years," what does the men's meeting reveal about their friendship? Was it hard for Jimmy Wells to arrest his friend?
The meeting between the men reveals their friendship was once close but has now faded due to time and changes in their lives. Jimmy Wells finds it difficult to arrest Bob because of their past bond, but he feels no genuine compunction about it since Bob is a criminal. While Jimmy avoids arresting Bob personally to spare himself the emotional burden, their friendship is effectively over, illustrating the theme of change over time.
Did Jimmy Wells do right by having his old friend arrested?
Jimmy Wells' decision to have his old friend Bob arrested in "After Twenty Years" by O. Henry is justified from a legal standpoint, as Wells is fulfilling his duty as a policeman. However, the morality of his action is more complex and subjective. If Bob's crimes are violent, arresting him seems right; if victimless, it raises moral dilemmas. Ultimately, the decision's rightness depends on individual moral values and the nature of Bob's crimes.
Was it right for Jimmy to have Bob arrested by a plainclothes officer?
The decision to have Bob arrested by a plainclothes officer can be seen in two ways. On one hand, it seems a betrayal of their deep friendship, as Jimmy avoids confronting Bob directly, suggesting lingering affection. On the other hand, Jimmy's actions align with his duty as a lawman, prioritizing justice over personal ties. Ultimately, Jimmy's choice reflects a moral dilemma between loyalty to a friend and upholding the law.
The special appointment between two friends in "After Twenty Years" by O. Henry
In O. Henry's "After Twenty Years," two friends, Bob and Jimmy, made a unique appointment to meet at 'Big Joe' Brady's restaurant exactly twenty years after parting ways. Bob left for the West to seek his fortune, while Jimmy stayed in New York. Despite the passage of time and changes, both men honor this commitment, reflecting their deep friendship. However, the reunion takes an ironic turn as Jimmy, now a policeman, arranges for Bob's arrest, revealing a conflict between duty and friendship.
Jimmy and Bob's Meeting and Revelations in "After Twenty Years"
In O. Henry's "After Twenty Years," childhood friends Jimmy and Bob grew up together in New York, like brothers. Twenty years later, they plan to reunite at their old meeting spot. Jimmy, now a policeman, recognizes Bob as a wanted criminal when they meet. Unable to arrest him himself, Jimmy arranges for a plainclothes officer to do so, revealing his identity through a note. Their differing life paths underscore the story's theme that honesty and integrity lead to lasting fulfillment.
Deciding between friendship and duty in "After Twenty Years"
In "After Twenty Years," the story highlights the conflict between friendship and duty through the character of the policeman, who discovers that his old friend is a wanted criminal. Despite their past friendship, he chooses to fulfill his duty by having his friend arrested, demonstrating the difficult balance between personal relationships and professional responsibilities.
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