“After Twenty Years” by O. Henry is a story that uses foreshadowing abundantly. The way O. Henry delivers his foreshadowing to readers, really builds that suspense and the desire for more. When reading the story, it is fairly easy to notice many literary devices, but the one that sets the mood is the foreshadowing. The way O. Henry employs foreshadowing in the story greatly enhances it overall. O. Henry accomplishes this by using the foreshadowing to enhance its ending, enhance the story’s irony, and to help progress the characterization within the story.
O. Henry made use of foreshadowing throughout his entire story to enhance its ending. In a few instances, readers are hinted towards what may be coming further into the story. In the story …show more content…
“But I know Jimmy will meet me here if he’s alive, for he always was the truest, stanchest old chap in the world. He’ll never forget. I came a thousand miles to stand in this door to-night, and it’s worth it if my old partner turns up,” (18). This is the same foreshadowing that hinted towards the cop being the friend he has been waiting for. When looking at the quote it becomes fairly obvious how much the criminal loves his best friend. From that quote alone, readers can get a sense as to how close the two must have been. The foreshadowing gives the readers some insight on the protagonist in this next quote. “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. Somehow I couldn’t do it myself, so I went around and got a plain clothes man to do the job,” (19). This is related to the foreshadowing at the beginning of the story. Through this quote it is revealed that the cop knows his friend is a criminal, and that he figures it out at the beginning of their conversation. Readers can imagine the pain he is in when he comes to this sudden realization. It is further supported when he states that he could not bring himself to turn his friend in, which shows how hurt the cop must have
O. Henry made use of foreshadowing throughout his entire story to enhance its ending. In a few instances, readers are hinted towards what may be coming further into the story. In the story …show more content…
“But I know Jimmy will meet me here if he’s alive, for he always was the truest, stanchest old chap in the world. He’ll never forget. I came a thousand miles to stand in this door to-night, and it’s worth it if my old partner turns up,” (18). This is the same foreshadowing that hinted towards the cop being the friend he has been waiting for. When looking at the quote it becomes fairly obvious how much the criminal loves his best friend. From that quote alone, readers can get a sense as to how close the two must have been. The foreshadowing gives the readers some insight on the protagonist in this next quote. “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. Somehow I couldn’t do it myself, so I went around and got a plain clothes man to do the job,” (19). This is related to the foreshadowing at the beginning of the story. Through this quote it is revealed that the cop knows his friend is a criminal, and that he figures it out at the beginning of their conversation. Readers can imagine the pain he is in when he comes to this sudden realization. It is further supported when he states that he could not bring himself to turn his friend in, which shows how hurt the cop must have