Question

excerpt from \after twenty years\ by o. henry:
bob: 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 couldnt do it myself,...

• jimmy

how does this note provide the resolution of the story?

the note escalates the conflict in the story.

bobs fate has been sealed and the storys events are explained.

bobs inner conflict is described for the first time.

the story reaches a new point of tension when bob must react.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: A resolution should resolve conflict, not escalate it. So this is incorrect.
• Option 2: The note explains that Jimmy recognized Bob as the wanted man and couldn't arrest him himself, which seals Bob's fate (he will be dealt with by the law) and explains the events (why Jimmy didn't arrest him directly). This fits a resolution.
• Option 3: The note is from Jimmy, not about Bob's inner conflict, and there's no indication it's the first description of inner conflict. Incorrect.
• Option 4: A resolution is the end of tension, not a new point of tension. Incorrect.

Answer:

B. Bob's fate has been sealed and the story's events are explained.