After Twenty Years - Study Material PDF [PDF]

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GRADE-8 (ENGLISH) AFTER TWENTY YEARS(PROSE) - William Sydney Porter(O’ Henry) WILLIAM SYDNEY PORTER (1828 – 1910) Better known by his pen name, O' Henry, William Sydney Porter was an American writer. He is credited for writing over 250 stories that are known for their surprise endings and wit. He is widely known and appreciated for his short stories. Some of his famous works are ‘The Gift of the Magi’, ‘The Last Leaf’, ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’.

An Overview of the Text Main Characters: 1. Jimmy Wells–honest, responsible, loyal, determined, a man of integrity, not quick-witted (according to Bob), police officer 2. Silky Bob- pale, square jaw, scar near eye, arrogant, egoistic, loyal, has been out West, criminal Protagonist: Silky Bob Antagonist: Plainclothes Officer Setting: Deserted New York City street, 10:00 PM, windy, cold Conflicts faced by the characters: Bob vs. Jimmy: Bob is arrested due to Jimmy Jimmy vs. himself: Jimmy has to decide whether to arrest Bob or not Bob vs. morals/laws: Bob is a criminal—does not follow laws or live by a moral standard. Theme: It is important to do the right thing, even if it is hard. Time changes people.

SUMMARY OF AFTER TWENTY YEARS BY O’ HENRY O’ Henry's "After Twenty Years" tells the story of Jimmy and Bob, two childhood friends who made a pact to meet up after twenty years. The story revolves around Jimmy and Bob hailing from New York city of America. Jimmy Wells, doesn’t want to venture out of New York considering it to be the only place on earth where one could be safe and comfortable. He becomes a patrolman and lives a contented life. On the other hand, Bob, who has a dynamic personality, dreams of becoming rich overnight. He leaves for Central America to try his luck and joins the underworld in order to live in luxury and ends up behind the bars. The story opens with the policeman, Jimmy walking down the deserted street, looking strong and

important. He is on his official stroll. While walking, he spots a man leaning in the darkened doorway of a hardware store with an unlit cigar in his mouth. The policeman slows down his walk and moves across the street towards the waiting man. Bob tells him that he is waiting for a friend whom he had agreed to meet at that very spot, twenty years ago the same day. The man explains that he and the friend for whom he is waiting, Jimmy Wells, had been raised in New York like brothers; when they had grown up, Jimmy had remained in the city, but he himself had headed West to make his fortune. This makes Jimmy realize that the waiting man is his friend Bob. However, as ill luck would have it, the waiting man strikes a match to light his cigar and under its flicker, the officer notes that the person before him has "a pale, square-jawed face with keen eyes, and a little white scar near his right eyebrow." On his scarf is a large diamond, indicating great wealth. The waiting man pulls out a fancy watch, embellished with diamonds. In a flash, Jimmy recognizes him as a criminal wanted by the Chicago police. So, he holds himself back and does not disclose his identity. Jimmy continues his walk and sends a plain clothes man to arrest Bob, but not before giving him a short note from Wells revealing that he was at the appointed place on time. He had recognized him as a criminal wanted by the Chicago Police, but his friendship had held him back from arresting Bob himself. Under obligation of his duty, he had held back his identity and did what he was supposed to do as a dutiful citizen i.e. get him arrested.

ANALYSIS After Twenty Years by O’ Henry deals with several themes- the theme of friendship, change, guilt and loyalty. The story explores the theme of loyalty really well. In the story, we see that Bob has kept his word twenty years after promising Jimmy that he would meet him at the old restaurant in New York. Such dedication suggests that Bob has never forgotten his friendship with Jimmy. As he is talking to the policeman (who in reality is Jimmy) there is a strong sense of trust and friendship between Bob and Jimmy, even if Bob tends to think that Jimmy may not have progressed in life. It is evident that both men have taken very different paths in life. They no longer are the young men that they had previously been. One is a cop while the other is a criminal. Jimmy has taken on a responsible, authoritarian role while Bob’s life has become one of a man more comfortable being on the wrong side of the law. This reflects how time changes people. Another theme that comes out very strongly in After Twenty Years is Duty vs. Friendship. The character of Jimmy Wells finds himself placed in the difficult situation of having to perform his duty as an officer of the law on his friend from the past. Having recognized Bob, Jimmy makes the decision to pretend non-recognition and continue on his beat so as not to arouse Bob's suspicions. Having confirmed that Bob will wait for a while before he gives up on his friend, Jimmy reports in at his police station and sends another policeman instead. He does not have the heart to shame his friend by arresting him. This shows that Jimmy has tremendous respect for his friendship. He must do his duty, but he can do it in such a way that he does not embarrass his friend. Jimmy's actions demonstrate that he still cares for his old friend despite his crimes. In this way, Jimmy is true to both his obligations and his heart.

The end of the story is also interesting as O’ Henry appears to be exploring the theme of guilt. Rather than arresting Bob himself, Jimmy sends another policeman to arrest Bob. This shows that Jimmy still feels a strong bond towards Bob and may have felt guilty to arrest an old friend. However, just as he was dedicated to his friendship with Bob when they were younger likewise, he is now dedicated to his job as a policeman. Upholding the law is more important to Jimmy than any friendship he may have had with Bob.

VOCABULARY 1. the beat - an assigned route of a policemen 2. well neigh depeopled – here, nearly emptied 3. that kept early hours – where people went to bed early 4. chum – friend 5. kept hustling around over it pretty lively – travelled around a lot and led a hectic life 6. staunchest old chap – most faithful person 7. plodder- a slow and steady worker 8. my pile – my fortune, refers to the money he had 9. gets in a groove – gets in a routine 10. call time on him sharp – here, leave if he doesn’t appear on time 11. hurried dismally – walked quickly in a cheerless way 12. fill an appointment – keep an appointment 13. his egotism enlarged by success – here, his vanity increased because of his success 14. Roman to a pug – here, two distinctly shaped noses 15. Chicago – here, Chicago police headquarters 16. She – here, Chicago. In English, she is used to refer to a city country 17. going quietly, are you – here, you will come along without a struggle, won’t you?

Links 1. Listen to a voice-over of the story through the link below. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/after-twenty-years-o-henry/3919556.html

2. Enjoy watching a short movie adaptation of O’ Henry’s ‘After Twenty Years’ through the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CIg9UKPIT0

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE Q. Read Bob’s statements given below. Match them with the character traits they reflect. 1. I come a thousand miles to stand in this door tonight, and it’s worth it if my old partner turns up. 2. The next day, I was to start for the West to make my fortune. You couldn’t have dragged Jimmy out of New York, he thought it was the only place on earth. 3. You see, the West is a pretty big proposition, and I kept hustling around over it pretty lively. 4. You bet! I hope Jimmy has done half as well. 5. If Jimmy is alive on earth, he'll be here by that time. 6. You've changed lots, Jimmy. I never thought you were so tall by two or three inches.

a. arrogant

b. dependable c. proud d. faith in friends e. observant f. daring