After Twenty Years

By
O. Henry
About the Author…
O. Henry (1862—1910) was the pen name of
William Sydney Porter, an American short
story writer. His short, simple stories are
noted for their careful plotting, ironic
coincidences, and surprise endings.
O. Henry was born William Sydney Porter
in Greensboro, North Carolina. He went to
Texas in 1882 and worked at various jobs—
as teller in an Austin bank (1891—1894)
and as a newspaperman for the Houston
Post.
About the Author…
In 1898, an unexplained shortage in the
Austin bank was charged to him. Although
many people believed him innocent, he fled
to the Honduras but returned with his wife,
who was fatally ill. He eventually served
three years in prison, where he first started
writing short stories.
Upon his release he settled in New York.
Although his stories have been criticized as
shallow and contrived, O. Henry did catch
the colour and movement of the city and
evidenced a genuine sympathy for ordinary
people.
About the Author…
His approximately 300 stories are
collected in Cabbages and Kings (1904),
The Four Million (1906), The Voice of the
City (1908), Options (1909), and others.
About the Text…
Themes of the Story

Loyalty to Friend V/S Devotion to Duty

Crime Never Pays
 About the Text…
Protagonists of the Story
Bob Jimmy
smart average height
restless a bit slow
ambitious strongly built
Successful through not so adventurous
criminality honest, truthful,
Law-breaker responsible and
But Devoted as a Friend devoted
Kept his promise as a He was obviously a
friend good police officer.
Detailed Discussion of the Text
The impressiveness was… not for show, for
spectators were few. (Para 1)
 This policeman was impressive in a
natural way. He was not trying to look
important, because it didn‘t make sense—
there were few people in the street to see
him.
 This description shows that Jim has
become an excellent police officer.
Detailed Discussion of the Text
Trying doors as he went… a guardian of the
peace. (Para 2)
 This sentence showed Jim’s strong sense of
responsibility.
 His clever swinging of the club showed his
confidence and competence as a cop. His
air of superiority showed his pride and
sense of dignity as a law-enforcing officer.
Detailed Discussion of the Text
In the doorway of a darkened hardware
store a man leaned, with an unlighted cigar
in his mouth. (Para 3)
 It had to be a darkened store and Bob’s
cigar had to be unlighted, otherwise Jim
would see that it was the man wanted by
the police in Chicago.
Detailed Discussion of the Text
The light showed a pale, square-jawed
face… oddly set. (Para 6)
 The match light showed a face which
must have fitted the description of the
wanted man.
 the diamond placed in a strange or
unusual way showing the owner’s lack of
taste
Detailed Discussion of the Text
Haven’t you heard from your friend since
you left? (Para 8)
 General questions in the negative are often
used to show surprise or doubt.
 More examples: Mary’s back. Didn't you
know? Are you not coming? It is really a
wonderful game.
Detailed Discussion of the Text
A man gets stuck in New York. It takes
the West to make a man really keen.
(Para 13)
 A man is unable to go very far or to be very
successful in New York. He can’t escape the
boring life. He has to go to the West to
become an eager and exciting person.
Detailed Discussion of the Text
“ Bless my heart!” exclaimed the new
arrival, … (Para 22)
 (= bless my soul) used to express surprise
This expression is rather old-fashioned.
 Here it refers to the man who has newly
arrived.
Detailed Discussion of the Text
Chicago… wants to have a chat with you.
(Para 31)
 Here refers to Chicago police.

 Chicago police is trying to track you

down, arrest you and take you to court.
 Detailed Discussion of the Text
Somehow I couldn't do it myself, so I went around and
got a plain clothes man to do the job. (Para 33)
 Somehow I couldn't arrest you myself, so I…

 Jim had mixed feelings. He knew what his duty was.

But the memories of their friendship, the expressions
of Bob’s undying respect and admiration for him and
the fact that Bob had come all the way from thousand
miles away just to keep the appointment made 20
years ago must have deeply touched him.
Conclusion of the Text
O. Henry is known for the surprise
ending of his stories. This one is no
exception. The story begins with a
policeman on the beat. But we do not
know it is Jim until the very end of the
story. When the second policeman
introduced himself as Jim we are also
taken in.