Most readers would agree that the climax of "After Twenty Years" evokes pathos and surprise. That is, readers are saddened to learn that Bob has been arrested as a rather significant criminal since his arrest marks the end of a long friendship, and Bob will probably go to prison. And, they are surprised at the ending because it does not fit the usual sentimental endings of O. Henry.
While readers of O. Henry would not...
Most readers would agree that the climax of "After Twenty Years" evokes pathos and surprise. That is, readers are saddened to learn that Bob has been arrested as a rather significant criminal since his arrest marks the end of a long friendship, and Bob will probably go to prison. And, they are surprised at the ending because it does not fit the usual sentimental endings of O. Henry.
While readers of O. Henry would not be surprised by the ironic reversal of the narrative at the climax because such irony is typical of his stories; on the other hand, that Bob is arrested and will be sent to Chicago where he will most likely do time in the state prison would surprise them as this is not the usual romantic ending.
Also, the ending is tragic for Bob and Jimmy, as well, since they sadly realize that their longstanding friendship has ended with disappointment and guilt. Bob experiences this tragic moment as he reads Jimmy's note:
....His hand was steady when he began to read, but it trembled a little by the time he had finished....I saw it was the face of the man wanted in Chicago. Somehow I couldn't do it myself....
Earlier, Jimmy has experienced this tragic moment when Bob lit his cigar, revealing his face with the white scar near his right eyebrow, a scar that identified him as "Silky Bob."
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