Chapter 6 of the novel ‘The Invisible Man’

Chapter 6 of the novel ‘The Invisible Man’

Summary

The Furniture That Went Mad

In the previous chapter, you have come to know about the theft in Mrs. And Mr. Bunting’s house. The stranger entered their house and stole money because day by day he was unable to meet out his daily expenditure.

In this chapter, we find that Mr. Hall and Mrs. Hall had woken up earlier than before. Then they went silently down in the cellar to take care of the beer that was under the process of preparation. The moment they entered the cellar, Mrs. Hall remembered that she had forgotten to bring a bottle of sarsaparilla (a kind sweet liquid prepared from this plant) from their room. Mr. Hall went upstairs to get it. While going upstairs, he found that the door of the stranger’s room was open, but he kept going on towards his room and found the bottle there. Picking up it, he started returning and suddenly he noticed that the front door was simply on the latch. He also remembered that the previous night it was properly closed by Mrs. Hall. His curiosity increased and he proceeded towards the stranger’s room to see something more there.  He rapped at the door of his room upstairs. There was no response. He rapped again. When he found no reply, he pushed the door in and entered. Mr. Hall found everything as he had expected. The bed and the room was also empty. His garments, the bandages were all lying scattered on the bedroom chair and along the rail of the bed.

In the meantime, Mrs. Hall became impatient as Mr. Hall was not going down with the bottle which she needed immediately. So she started calling him aloud from the cellar.

At this, Mr. Hall tried to tell Mrs. Hall by going downstairs that the stranger’s room was quite open at that time. At first, she could not understand the whole matter, but, at last, she decided to see the empty room for herself. Mr. Hall, still holding the bottle in his hand started moving upstairs first, followed by his wife. As both of them came up the cellar steps, they heard the front door open and shut, but seeing it closed, neither of them said any word to each other. Then, Mrs. Hall passed her husband in the passage and ran upstairs. She also heard someone sneeze. As she was going on first, she thought that it was Mr. Hall who was sneezing. She at once flung open the door and entered the room.

She heard a sniff close behind her head. She thought it might have been Mr. Hall just behind her. But the moment she turned behind ascertain it, she found that her husband was at a distance from her. But soon he came near her. She came near the bed and bent forward and touched the pillow and the bed clothes to feel the warmth on them. But she felt it all cold. It meant the stranger must have left his bed before one hour or more.

As she did all that, a most extraordinary thing happened. The bed-clothes gathered themselves together, leapt to one side as a heap. It all happened as if a person had rolled up the bed-clothes into a heap and then threw them to one side.

After that the stranger’s hat hopped off, and after a whirling flight in the air was it was hit straight at Mrs. Hall’s face. Then some other things like sponge from the wash-stand, chair, coat and trousers, etc. were all flung aside carelessly, and the chair suddenly started moving towards Mrs. Hall. Both the husband and the wife went out of the room in panic. The door was slammed violently from behind then and was locked from inside. After some time, everything became quiet and calm.

Mrs. Hall was so much petrified at this unusual scene she had ever seen in her life that she was almost fainted. With a great difficulty, Millie and Mr. Hall were able to bring her downstairs.

She became so much panicked that she started speaking as if she was in delirium. She was constantly saying that it was all done by the stranger and it was he who had stirred the spirits in the room by doing irreligious activities. He himself was irreligious and also he misused the furniture that was used by her mother, so the spirit of her mother got annoyed and started throwing the things into the air. She was also talking about his goggled eyes and bandaged head. She also wished that her husband must lock the stranger in the room and held him responsible for all the misdoings as he never visited the church on Sundays. She also mentioned that normally a person never kept such a big number of bottles in his possession as he had in the room.

Mr. Hall again tried to make her drink some more drops of a liquid so that her nerves would become steady.

After that, Millie was sent to call Mr. Sandy Wadgers, the blacksmith, who was told by Millie that Mrs. Hall’s furniture was behaving in a most extraordinary way. He soon reached the inn and Mrs. Hall and her husband wanted the blacksmith to lead him to the stranger’s room at once. But he seemed to be in no hurry as he wanted to study the facts before taking further step.   Therefore he talked with Mr. Hall about the case while passing through the passage. In the meantime, Mr. Huxtar also joined them. They could not reach a decision, so they decided to know the facts first.

As they were busy discussing all that, the door of the room upstairs opened itself and they were wonderstruck to see the stranger’s muffled figure stepping downstairs, perhaps staring more sternly than ever form under his those unreasonably large blue glasses of his goggles. He came down stiffly and slowly staring all the time while walking down the steps. The he stopped and said to them, “Look there!” At this, they all saw towards the point where he was indicating with his gloved finger. He was pointing towards the bottle of sarsaparilla that was left by Mr. Hall near the cellar door. Then he entered the parlour and suddenly, viciously slammed the door in.

They kept staring at one another without uttering any word until the sound created by the slammed door died down.  After that, Mr. Wadgers said that he would like to go I and ask for an explanation for all that he had done there. Mr. Hall took some time to give his approval to what Mr. Wadgers saying.

Then Mr. Wadgers went upstairs and knocked at the door, opened it and said, “Excuse me…”

“Go to the devil!” came a tremendous voice from the room and ordering him to shut the door.

Thus his brief interview was terminated!

The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse by William Saroyan

The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse by William Saroyan

Synopsis of the Lesson

This is an interesting story about two boys. They belonged to a family, which was famous for its honesty. The boys had a craze for horse-riding. One day, the narrator’s cousin, Mourad, bought a beautiful white horse for riding. He had stolen it from some place. 

The narrator was shocked to think that Mourad had stolen the horse. Such a thing had never happened in their family. But the narrator also wanted to enjoy the ride. So he cooperated with his cousin in keeping the stealth a secret. They continued enjoy horse-riding for many days early in the morning. They used to hide the horse somewhere in a barn. One day, they came across the owner of that horse and he recognized it, but he could not blame the boys for the theft of his horse. 

It was because he knew that the boys belonged to a reputed family. The next morning, the narrator and his cousin left the horse at its usual place.

Main Points of the Story

One day, Mourad, the narrator’s cousin woke him up early in the morning at four o’clock. He was sitting on a beautiful horse. The narrator could not believe his eyes. He always longed for horse-riding. Mourad and the narrator belonged to a family that was very famous for its honesty. It was known as Garoghlanian family. They had been famous for the honesty for about eleven centuries.

 Every member of the family felt proud of being a Garoghlanian. They believed in the right and the wrong and never took advantage of anybody in the world.

The narrator could not believe that his cousin could steal the horse. But the reality was before his eyes, so he had to believe it. Then the narrator that stealing a horse only for a raiding was different from stealing money or for selling the horse for money. After that, the narrator jumped down on the yard from window of his room. 

He sat on the horse’s back behind Mourad, who was considered one of the craziest members of his family. He was considered the natural successor of the craziness found in his family.

His uncle Khosrove was also a crazy fellow. He was a big man with a big head and black hair on it. He had very long moustaches on his face. He was a man of irritable temple. He was also very impatient in his behaviour.  He would stop anybody by saying, “It is no harm; pay no attention to it.”

Once Khosrove’s own son, Arak, came running at a barber’s shop, where he was getting his moustaches trimmed. Arak told him that their house was on fire. 

Khosrove stood up at once and roared, “It’s no harm; pay no attention to it.

Thus Mourad was the natural descendant of Khosrove.

At present Mourad and his cousin were enjoying riding. Mourad was also singing while riding. After sometime, Mourad told the narrator to get down of the horse because he wanted to have the ride alone.

The narrator obyed and got down of the horse. He also told Mourad that he would also like to have a ride alone.

Mourad kicked the horse and it soon started galloping. The horse crossed a field of dry grass and then an irrigation ditch. He returned after five minutes.

Now it was the narrator’s turn to enjoy the ride alone.

He also leapt to the back of the horse and kicked it. The horse reared and snorted. Then it ran suddenly. Instead of running across the field and then to the irrigation ditch, it ran down road to the vineyard of Dikran Halabian. The horse threw the narrator on to the ground while jumping on the vines.

The narrator and Mourad made a search for it and after half an hour, Mourad came back with the horse. 

They thought of hiding the horse at a secret place.

The narrator also came to know that Mourad had been enjoying rides for the last many days. They went home and the narrator had his breakfast.

That afternoon, the narrator’s uncle Khosrove came to his house to sip coffee and smoke a cigarette.

Another visitor, named John Byro, also came there. He complained that his white horse had been missing for a month.

The narrator’s uncle Khosrov and John Byro had an argument on the loss of the horse. Khosrove advised John Byro to forget about the horse and not to give any importance to money.

John Byro got angry and went out of the house.

The narrator went to Mourad’s house and told him all about John Byro’s visit to his house. The narrator requested Mourad not to return the horse until he learnt how to ride. Mourad agreed not to return it for six months.

One morning, on the way, they came across John Byro, the owner of the white horse.

He recognized the horse and he knew that it was his own horse, but still, he could not make a claim over it because he knew the reputation of the narrator’s family. He just called the horse the twin of his horse.

Early next morning, the narrator and his cousin left the horse to John Byro’s barn.

That afternoon, John Byro came to the narrator’s house. He showed the horse to the narrator’s mother. He said that his horse had become stronger and better tempered than before. Then the narrator’s uncle became irritated. He shouted, “ Your horse has been returned. Pay no attention to it.”

Mrs. Packeltide’s Tiger by Saki: Comprehension Passages:

Passage 1:

“The compelling motive for her………………….that sort of thing.”

Q1. Name the lesson & its writer.

Ans. The lesson is Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger and its writer is Saki (Hecter Hugh Munro)

Q2. Who was Nimrod?

Ans. He was a famous legendary hunter.

Q3. What was Mrs. Packletide’s compelling motive for hunting?

Ans. She wanted to counter Loona Bimberton’s flight that she had with an Algerian aviator for eleven miles in an aeroplane.

Q4.What did Loona Bimberton boast of?

Ans. She boasted of her flight that she had with an Algerian aviator for eleven miles in an aeroplane.

Q5. What does ‘that sort of thing’ stand for?

Ans. The phrase stands for Loona’s flight with an Algerian aviator for eleven miles in an aeroplane.

Passage 2:

 “Not that the lust  to kill……………….an Algerian aviator.”

Q1. Who is ‘she’ in the above passage?

Ans. ‘She’ is  Mrs. Packletide in the passage.

Q2. What is meant by the phrase ‘the lust to kill’?

Ans It means the strong desire to kill.

Q3. What is her lust here?

Ans. It is to kill a tiger.

Q4. What was her motive and why was it called ‘compelling’?

Ans. Mrs’ Packletide’s motive was to outshine Loona Bimberton. It was compelling because she did not want to waste any time.

Passage 3: 

"Circumstances proved propitious…….antecedents.”

Q1. How had the circumstances become propitious?

Ans. An old tiger stayed in the forest of a village for feeding itself on domestic animals. Mrs. Packletide waited for such an opportunity.

Q2. Why did Mrs. Packletide offer a big prize for the villagers?

Ans. She offered it to lure the villagers so that they could arrange for her a safe and riskless tiger hunt.

Q3.What type of shooting did she want to have?

Ans. She wanted to have a shooting without much risk or exertion.

Q4. Who has been called the animal of ‘respectable antecedents’?

Ans. The tiger has been called so.

Q5. What became the favoured rendezvous of the animal?

Ans. A neibouring village.

Q6. What is the meaning of ‘rendezvous’?

Ans. Fixed meeting place

The Summary of the Chapter 4: The Invisible Man by H. G. Wells

The Summary of the Chapter 4

Mr. Cuss Interviews the Stranger

Dear students, up to now, you have made an impression about the stranger’s odd personality. He was an eccentric type of person, who remained busy for most of his time in doing experiments in his room usually locked from inside.

During this time, there were a number of quarrels with Mrs. Hall on the issue of breaking domestic discipline. But every time he settled the issue by paying her money as compensation.

Mr. Hall did not like the stranger since the day Teddy had created doubts in his mind. So he always tried to advise his wife, Mrs. Hall, to get rid of the stranger who was staying in her inn. He also tried to conceal his dislike for the stranger so that she would not think it interference in her matters. She also told Mr. Hall to wait till summer comes, when more guests start coming to the village.

The stranger remained so much busy in his experiments that he did not even visit the church. There was no difference for him between Sundays and the other days of the week. There was irregularity in his activities. Sometimes he would remain busy while some other day, he would rise late and walk in his room feeling weary, speaking to himself for hours together. He would smoke for some time and then sleep in his armchair. His temperament was also uncertain.

For once or twice, the things were snapped, torn, crushed or broken because of his deep chronic irritable nature. He also kept talking to himself in a very low voice. He avoided going out when it was broad daylight. He preferred going out muffled up after the sunset not caring for the weather hot or cold outside.

Q1. What irregularities do you notice in the Invisible Man’s activities as mentioned in the chapter 4 of the novel?

He chose the loneliest paths, overshadowed by trees and banks. His goggling spectacles and bandaged face seemed unusual to the home-coming labourers.

One night, Teddy Henfrey was scared to see the stranger’s skull-like head. He was walking lost in his thoughts by keeping his hat in his hand. Then suddenly the light came from the opened door of the inn fell on his head and revealed it. Thus he became the topic of the town.

The children who happened to see him started dreaming of ghosts in their sleep.

The opinion of the people was divided on the issue of his occupation. Mrs. Hall would very cautiously tell the people that he was an ‘experimental investigator.’ When asked by people as to what he experimented about, she would answer in a round-about way that he ‘discovered things’. She would also defend the stranger that he had met with an accident which temporarily discoloured his face and hands. As he is man of sensitive nature, he avoided showing himself to the people.

Mrs. Hall did not know that the people had also different opinions about the stranger.

According to a view which was generated by Teddy Henfrey, he was a criminal who was running away from being caught by the police. That was the reason he concealed his identity from the public.

Mr. Gould, the probationary assistant in the National School was of the view that the stranger was an anarchist in disguise preparing explosives and waiting for the appropriate time for his operation.

Mr. Fearenside, the cart-man, also created a group of people who believed in his piebald view in ditto or with the same view with some modifications.

Yet there was another view about the stranger. According to this view, people thought him a harmless lunatic.

Another group of people included the waverers and compromisers who had some superstitions about him. The idea was first whispered in the village of Iping after the events that happened in the early April.

Q1.What stories about the invisible Man were invented by Teddy Henfrey, Mr. Gould, Mr. Fearenside and some other people?

But the people in Iping on the whole disliked him. His irritable nature was also an amazing thing for these  quiet loving Sussex villagers. His strange activities i.e. his dramatic gestures and his walking after the nightfall were not acceptable to the public. People would close the doors, pull down the curtains, put out the candles and lamps if they saw him coming. If people met him on the way, they would get aside and let him pass by. The young boys humorously would keep their coat collars up in the same fashion as the stranger did. They also kept their hat brims down. They would also follow him nervously imitating his odd habits.

A song ‘The Bogey Man’ became very much popular in the village. Mrs. Statchel sang it at the school-room concert. Since then, whenever two or more villagers gathered at one place and the stranger appeared there, they whistled the tune of the song. Some children also started calling ‘Bogey man’ after him.

Q2. How did the young men and children of the village Iping do in imitation of the Invisible Man?

Now the stranger became the talk of the town. At this time a public practitioner, Mr. Cuss became curious to talk to him. The bandages excited his professional interest and also one thousand and one bottles also aroused his interest in the stranger.He had to wait for the opportunity to meet him through April and May, but could not get any. At last towards Whitsuntide (the seventh Sunday after Easter), he could not stop himself. He invented an excuse to meet the stranger. It was about collecting subscription for the village nurse.

Mr. Cuss was surprised to note that Mr. Hall did not know his guest’s name. At this, Mrs. Hall tried to defend her husband saying that the stranger had told her his name. But she had not heard it properly.Cuss was determined to interview the stranger, so he rapped at the door of the parlour and entered. There was a fairly audible curse that came from the room as he stepped in. Mr. Cuss, first of all, asked for forgiveness for entering the room in that way. But then, the door was closed and that made Mrs. Hall unable to listen to the rest of the conversation that went on between them. She could hear only the murmuring sound for some minutes. Then she heard a cry of surprise, a stirring of feet, a chair that was flung aside, a crazy laughter and the quick steps running towards the door. Cuss appeared out of the room quite white faced, his eyes staring back over his shoulders. He left the door opened behind him and without looking at Mrs. Hall, who was standing outside the room, walked across the hall taking long strides and went down the steps. Mrs. Hall also heard the sound of his feet hurrying along the road.

The stranger carried his hat in his hand stood behind the door, looking at the open door of the parlour. Then Mrs. Hall heard the stranger laughing quietly. She could not see the stranger’s face and then the parlour door was slammed and the place was silent again. After that Cuss went to the village priest, Mr. Bunting, to tell about his strange experience. He told the priest that he had entered the stranger’s room to get subscription for the Nurse Fund. He also told the priest that he saw bottles, chemicals, test tubes and other equipments everywhere in his room. Then he asked the stranger if he would subscribe for the fund. At this, he replied in positive. After that, he asked the stranger a direct question if he had been researching. He again replied in yes. Then the stranger accidentally took his hand out of his pocket and then he was able to see down the empty sleeve to the elbow. Next he questioned the stranger if he was moving the empty sleeve. At this he had laughed and then extended his empty sleeve towards his face and pinched his nose. After hearing this Bunting began to laugh.

Q3. Who was Mr. Cuss? Why was he so much curious about meeting the stranger? Tell something about his experience of meeting with the stranger and what story did he tell to Mr. Bunting about his interview with the Invisible Man?

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After Twenty Years by O Henry-Analysis

After Twenty Years-Author: O. Henry

Detailed Summary

After Twenty Years is one of O. Henry's finest short stories. It beautifully combines the themes of friendship, loyalty, destiny, justice, and the passage of time. The story is famous for its unexpected ending, a hallmark of O. Henry's writing style. Through a simple meeting between two old friends, the author raises an important question: Should personal relationships be stronger than one's duty and moral responsibility?

 

The story begins on a cold and windy evening at 10 o'clock in New York City. Most of the shops have closed, and the streets are nearly empty because of the unpleasant weather. A policeman is walking along his regular beat. He checks the doors of shops, making sure everything is secure. His calm and confident manner reflects his honesty and dedication to duty.

 

As the policeman reaches the doorway of a hardware store, he notices a man standing there. The man is smoking an unlit cigar and appears to be waiting for someone. The policeman approaches him, suspecting that he might be involved in some suspicious activity. However, the man immediately explains that he is simply waiting for an old friend with whom he made an appointment twenty years ago.

 

The stranger begins telling the policeman an interesting story. Exactly twenty years earlier, he and his closest friend, Jimmy Wells, had dined together at a restaurant called "Big Joe Brady's." At that time, both were young men with dreams and ambitions. They had grown up together in New York and were almost like brothers. Soon afterwards, the stranger decided to travel west in search of fortune and adventure because he believed that opportunities were greater there. Jimmy, however, loved New York too much to leave it.

 

Before parting, the two friends promised that they would meet again after twenty years at the same place and at the same hour—10 p.m.—regardless of where life took them. They believed that twenty years would be enough for each of them to build a successful life.

 

The man waiting outside the hardware store proudly introduces himself as Bob. He confidently says that moving west was the best decision of his life. According to him, he has earned wealth and achieved success. He expresses complete faith that Jimmy will keep his promise if he is still alive. Bob speaks warmly about Jimmy and describes him as the truest and finest friend anyone could have.

 

The policeman listens quietly to Bob's story. Before leaving, he wishes Bob good luck and continues his patrol. Unknown to Bob, the policeman is actually Jimmy Wells himself. Jimmy recognises his old friend immediately because of the distinctive features Bob describes. However, Jimmy also notices something alarming. From newspaper descriptions, he realises that Bob is a wanted criminal known to the police in Chicago.

 

Soon afterwards, another man arrives, wearing a long overcoat. Bob assumes that the newcomer is Jimmy because twenty years have naturally changed both of their appearances. The two men greet each other warmly and begin walking together. Bob is delighted to believe that his old friend has kept his promise.

 

As they walk under the bright lights of a drugstore, Bob finally gets a clear look at his companion's face. Suddenly, he realises that something is wrong. The man's features do not match Jimmy's. Bob immediately says that the man is not Jimmy Wells.

 

The stranger calmly admits the truth. He reveals that he is not Jimmy but a plain-clothes police officer. He informs Bob that he is under arrest because he is wanted by the Chicago police. Before arresting him, the officer hands Bob a note written by Jimmy Wells.

 

The letter contains the emotional climax of the story. Jimmy writes that he had indeed arrived at the appointed place on time. The moment Bob lit his cigar, Jimmy recognised him as the man wanted by the authorities. Jimmy explains that he could not bring himself to arrest his own childhood friend personally. Instead, he asked another detective to perform the unpleasant duty.

 

The story ends with Bob silently reading the note. Readers are left to imagine his feelings of disappointment, regret, and perhaps admiration for Jimmy's honesty.

 

Themes

1. Friendship

Bob and Jimmy shared a deep friendship in their youth. Their promise to meet after twenty years shows their affection and trust.

2. Loyalty

Bob remains loyal to the promise and travels hundreds of miles to keep the appointment. Jimmy also keeps his promise by coming to the meeting place.

 

3. Duty versus Emotion

The central conflict of the story lies in Jimmy's struggle between friendship and professional duty. As a police officer, he cannot ignore the law, but as a friend, he cannot arrest Bob himself.

 

4. The Passage of Time

Twenty years completely transform both men's lives. Bob becomes wealthy but turns into a criminal, while Jimmy becomes an honest police officer.

5. Justice

The story suggests that no one is above the law. Personal relationships cannot replace one's duty towards society.

Character Sketches

Bob

·      Ambitious and adventurous

·      Loyal to his promise

·      Self-confident

·      Successful in business

·      Eventually revealed as a criminal

Jimmy Wells

·      Honest and responsible

·      Loyal friend

·      Dutiful police officer

·      Sensitive and compassionate

·      Chooses justice over personal attachment

Important Literary Devices

Irony: Bob proudly tells his story to Jimmy without recognising him.

Situational Irony: Bob expects a joyful reunion but is arrested instead.

Suspense: The reader keeps wondering whether Jimmy will arrive.

Foreshadowing: Bob's expensive diamond tie pin and boastful manner hint that his success may not be entirely honest.

Moral of the Story

 

The story teaches that true integrity means doing the right thing even when it is personally painful. Friendship is valuable, but justice and honesty must prevail over personal emotions.

 

Important Extracts with Questions and Answers

Extract 1

"Twenty years ago tonight, I dined here at Big Joe Brady's with Jimmy Wells, my best chum and the finest chap in the world."

Questions

Q1. Who is speaking these words?

Ans. Bob is speaking these words to the policeman.

Q2. Who was Jimmy Wells?

Ans. Jimmy Wells was Bob's childhood friend and closest companion.

Q3. Where had they dined twenty years earlier?

Ans. They had dined at Big Joe Brady's restaurant.

Q4. Why is Bob standing outside the hardware store?

Ans. He is waiting to meet Jimmy ac cording to the promise they made twenty years earlier.

Q5. What does this extract reveal about Bob?

Ans. It shows that Bob values friendship and faithfully keeps his promises.

Extract 2

"The West is a pretty big proposition, and I kept hustling around over it pretty lively."

Questions

Q1. Why did Bob go to the West?

Ans. He went there to seek wealth, success, and better opportunities.

Q2. What does 'hustling around' mean?

Ans. It means working hard and actively pursuing opportunities.

 

Q3. Was Bob successful?

Ans. Yes. He claims to have become wealthy and prosperous.

Q4. Why did Jimmy remain in New York?

Ans. Jimmy loved New York and believed it was the only place for him.

Q5. Which theme is highlighted here?

Ans. The theme of ambition and different life choices.

Extract 3

"You're not Jimmy Wells. Twenty years is a long time, but not long enough to change a man's nose."

Questions

Q1. Who says these words?

Ans. Bob says these words.

Q2. Why does Bob make this statement?

Ans. He realises the man walking with him is not Jimmy.

Q3. What helps Bob discover the truth?

Ans. The bright light from the drugstore allows him to see the man's face clearly.

Q4. What happens immediately afterwards?

Ans. The man reveals that he is a plain-clothes police officer.

Q5. Which literary device is used at this point?

Ans. Suspense leading to situational irony.

 

Extract 4

"Jimmy Wells sent me on to do this job."

Questions

Q1. Who speaks these words?

Ans. The plain-clothes police officer.

Q2. What job is he referring to?

Ans. Arresting Bob.

Q3. Why does Jimmy not arrest Bob himself?

Ans. Because Bob is his old friend, and Jimmy cannot bring himself to arrest him personally.

 

Q4. What quality of Jimmy is highlighted?

Ans. His sense of duty combined with compassion.

Q5. What conflict does this extract represent?

Ans. The conflict between friendship and professional duty.

Extract 5

"I was at the appointed place on time. When you struck the match to light your cigar, I saw it was the face of the man wanted in Chicago."

Questions

Q1. Who wrote these lines?

Ans. Jimmy Wells.

Q2. How did Jimmy recognise Bob?

Ans. He recognised him when Bob lit his cigar with a match.

Q3. Why did Jimmy leave instead of arresting Bob?

Ans. He could not personally arrest his lifelong friend.

 

Q4. What does this reveal about Jimmy's character?

Ans. He is honest, dutiful, compassionate, and emotionally sensitive.

Q5. What is the significance of this note?

Ans. It provides the surprise ending, resolves the central conflict, and reinforces the story's message that duty must prevail over personal attachment.

Examination-Oriented Questions

Short Answer Questions

Short Answer Questions (30–40 Words Each)

Q1. Why did Bob come to the meeting place after twenty years?

Answer: Bob came to the meeting place because he had promised his best friend, Jimmy Wells, that they would meet there exactly twenty years later. He believed Jimmy would keep his promise, and he wanted to see his old friend again.

Q2. Why did Jimmy Wells send another officer to arrest Bob?

Answer: Jimmy recognised Bob as a wanted criminal, but he could not arrest his childhood friend himself. As an honest police officer, he performed his duty by asking a plain-clothes officer to make the arrest instead.

Q3. What is the significance of Big Joe Brady's restaurant?

Answer: Big Joe Brady's restaurant is important because it was the place where Bob and Jimmy had their last dinner together before parting. They made their promise there to meet again after twenty years.

Q4. How does O. Henry create suspense in the story?

Answer: O. Henry creates suspense by making the readers wonder whether Jimmy will come to meet Bob. The unexpected arrival of another man and the surprise ending keep the readers interested till the very end.

Q5. Why is the ending considered ironic?

Answer: The ending is ironic because Bob expects a happy reunion with his old friend, but instead he is arrested. Jimmy keeps his promise to come, yet he chooses duty over friendship, creating a surprising twist.

 

Long Answer Questions (About 100 Words Each)

Q1. Discuss the conflict between friendship and duty in After Twenty Years.

Answer: The main conflict in the story is between friendship and duty. Jimmy Wells is a police officer who discovers that his old friend Bob is a wanted criminal. Jimmy is happy to see Bob after twenty years, but he also knows that he must obey the law. He cannot ignore his duty because of their friendship. At the same time, he cannot bring himself to arrest Bob personally. Therefore, he asks another officer to arrest him. In this way, Jimmy remains loyal to his duty while also showing kindness and respect for his old friend.

Q2. Give a detailed character sketch of Jimmy Wells.

Answer: Jimmy Wells is an honest, responsible, and kind-hearted police officer. He is a loyal friend who keeps his promise to meet Bob after twenty years. When he recognises Bob as a wanted criminal, he faces a difficult situation. He chooses to follow the law because he believes that duty comes before personal feelings. However, he is also sensitive and caring. He cannot arrest his old friend with his own hands, so he sends another officer instead. Jimmy's actions show that he is brave, truthful, compassionate, and committed to justice.

Q3. Explain how O. Henry uses irony and surprise to make After Twenty Years an unforgettable short story.

Answer: O. Henry makes the story memorable through irony and surprise. At first, readers believe that Bob will happily meet his old friend after twenty years. However, the ending takes an unexpected turn when the man with Bob is revealed to be a plain-clothes police officer. The greatest irony is that the policeman Bob first speaks to is actually Jimmy Wells. Jimmy keeps his promise to come, but he cannot ignore his duty as a police officer. This surprising ending leaves a deep impression on the readers and makes the story unforgettable.

Q4. Examine the themes of loyalty, justice, and destiny in the story.

Answer: The story presents several important themes. Loyalty is shown when both Bob and Jimmy keep their promise to meet after twenty years. Justice is shown when Jimmy performs his duty as a police officer and allows the law to take its course. Destiny plays an important role because time changes both friends in different ways. Bob becomes a successful but wanted criminal, while Jimmy becomes an honest police officer. Their meeting proves that life can take unexpected turns and that our choices decide our future.

 

Q5. Why is After Twenty Years considered a perfect example of O. Henry's art of storytelling?

Answer: After Twenty Years is considered one of O. Henry's best stories because it has an interesting plot, realistic characters, and a brilliant surprise ending. The story begins in a simple way but slowly builds suspense. The readers become curious about whether Jimmy will come to meet Bob. The unexpected ending, where Bob is arrested instead of reunited with his friend, is both shocking and meaningful. O. Henry also presents important themes such as friendship, duty, justice, and honesty in simple language, making the story enjoyable and memorable.