Final answer:
In 'After Twenty Years' by O. Henry, the story's ending highlights the conflict between loyalty and duty as Jimmy Wells chooses his role as a policeman over his old friendship with Bob. Jimmy's actions and the contrast between the characters' paths in life elaborate the complex nature of personal values, success, and ethics. Literary devices are instrumental in elucidating these themes, offering a rich ground for literary analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the story 'After Twenty Years' by O. Henry, the concluding scenes reveal a complex interplay of loyalty and duty. Analyzing the story's ending, we encounter the twist that O. Henry is famous for: Jimmy Wells, now a policeman, honors his duty to the law over the loyalty to his friend, Bob. Rather than arresting Bob himself, he delegates the task to another officer, demonstrating his inner conflict between his past friendship and his present responsibilities.
Reflecting on Jimmy's actions, we see a man torn between his past and his present. The friendship he and Bob shared was strong, yet his commitment to justice stands paramount. This duality represents the values and paths one faces in life. While Bob chose the path of personal success through questionable means, Jimmy chose a path of service and integrity, even when it pitted him against an old friend.
The story also touches on success and achievement. Bob's business success, likely built on a foundation of criminal activity, is juxtaposed against Jimmy's ethical success in upholding the law. These contrasting outcomes underscore the varied consequences of the paths we choose, and the inherent values that guide those choices.
Ultimately, O. Henry uses literary devices such as plot twist and character development to illustrate the complex nature of human relationships and the choices that define us. When performing a literary analysis, it is crucial to consider how these elements contribute to the story's overall message and the reflections it induces in the readers.