After 20 Years Essay
Victoria DeLucia December 2011
English Period 3 “After 20 Years” Paragraph
What is more important a job or keeping a friendship? In this short story, “After 20 Years,” by O.Henry, the character Jimmy Wells faces a moral dilemma. A moral dilemma is a problem someone faces where each solution poses a negative consequence. Jimmy Wells had an appointment made 20 years ago with his best friend Bob. But when Jimmy shows up in his police uniform he notices that Bob was the man wanted in Chicago. Jimmy has to decide if he should or shouldn’t arrest Bob. If he arrests Bob, he’ll probably lose his friendship with Bob. However, if he doesn’t arrest Bob he could lose his job or get arrested himself. So, he decides to hire an undercover cop to arrest Bob for him. In the end, Bob gets put in jail. As you can see, Jimmy’s job made it difficult to make a decision whether or not to arrest his best friend!
English Period 3 “After 20 Years” Paragraph
What is more important a job or keeping a friendship? In this short story, “After 20 Years,” by O.Henry, the character Jimmy Wells faces a moral dilemma. A moral dilemma is a problem someone faces where each solution poses a negative consequence. Jimmy Wells had an appointment made 20 years ago with his best friend Bob. But when Jimmy shows up in his police uniform he notices that Bob was the man wanted in Chicago. Jimmy has to decide if he should or shouldn’t arrest Bob. If he arrests Bob, he’ll probably lose his friendship with Bob. However, if he doesn’t arrest Bob he could lose his job or get arrested himself. So, he decides to hire an undercover cop to arrest Bob for him. In the end, Bob gets put in jail. As you can see, Jimmy’s job made it difficult to make a decision whether or not to arrest his best friend!