What are the traits of Sgt. Duffy in the story “Sorry, Wrong Number”?
The correct answer and explanation is:
In the story “Sorry, Wrong Number” by Lucille Fletcher, Sergeant Duffy is portrayed as a calm, professional, and slightly indifferent police officer.
Correct Answer:
Sergeant Duffy is calm, professional, and somewhat dismissive, showing a lack of urgency or emotional concern in responding to Mrs. Stevenson’s distress call.
300-Word Explanation:
Sergeant Duffy is a character in the radio drama “Sorry, Wrong Number,” which revolves around a bedridden woman named Mrs. Stevenson who accidentally overhears a conversation about a planned murder while trying to reach her husband on the phone. In a state of panic, she contacts the police for help, and Sergeant Duffy takes her call.
From the moment he answers, Sergeant Duffy demonstrates professionalism and calmness. He maintains a composed and methodical tone throughout the conversation. However, his attitude borders on indifference, especially as Mrs. Stevenson becomes increasingly frantic. He listens to her concerns but doesn’t display the level of urgency she expects. Instead of taking immediate action, he calmly asks procedural questions, focusing on facts and minimizing her emotional distress.
His demeanor reflects a classic bureaucratic figure—someone who follows the rules but lacks empathy. Duffy’s unwillingness to act on a vague lead illustrates his reliance on protocol over intuition. He explains that without specific information (such as an address, names, or concrete evidence), there is little the police can do. While this is understandable from a procedural point of view, it adds tension to the story and frustrates the listener because his inaction contributes to the impending tragedy.
Sergeant Duffy serves as a foil to Mrs. Stevenson’s hysteria. His calmness contrasts with her anxiety, emphasizing her isolation and helplessness. His dismissive tone subtly reflects how people in positions of authority can overlook serious threats when they rely too heavily on procedure. In the end, his lack of response plays a role in the story’s suspenseful and tragic outcome, highlighting the limitations of the system and the failure to prevent a crime that could have been stopped.