How does The Ransom of Red Chief
The Ransom of Red Chief
"The Ransom of Red Chief" is a short story by O. Henry first published in the July 6, 1907 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. It follows two men who kidnap and attempt to ransom a wealthy Alabamian's son. Eventually, the men are driven crazy by the boy's spoiled and hyperactive behavi…
What is the ransom in the ransom of Red Chief?
The ransom that the kidnappers want to release Johnny, they are compelled to pay it to his father, to get rid of the mischievous boy. The short story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ is set in the town of Summit and a cave in a mountain in Alabama.
What is an example of situational irony in the ransom of Red Chief?
An example of situational irony in O. Henry's story "The Ransom of Red Chief is that the kidnappers... Q. What was Johnny's reaction when he was returned to his home? Q. Why did Sam and Bill pay Ebenezer Dorset?
What is the plot of Red Chief?
Summary. Calling himself "Red Chief", the boy proceeds to drive his captors to distraction with his unrelenting chatter, malicious pranks, and demands that they play wearying games with him. The criminals write a ransom letter to the boy's father, lowering the ransom from two thousand dollars to fifteen hundred at Bill's suggestion.
How does Red Chief interact with his kidnappers?
Red Chief plays with his kidnappers and they appreciate the company. Red Chief’s refusal to go home increases the kidnappers’ excitement for ransom. Red Chief’s unpredictable actions frighten Bill, one of the kidnappers. Red Chief spends his time waiting to be entertained, which frustrates the kidnappers.
What is the climax of the story The Ransom of Red Chief?
In The Ransom of Red Chief, the climax occurs right before the story's resolution, when the men read the letter from Ebenezer Dorset stating that they will have to pay him a ransom instead of the other way around. But, of course, the men are happy to spend the money to get rid of their terror, that is Johnny Dorset.
How did the kidnappers finally get rid of the boy?
Bill and Sam finally get rid of Red Chief by paying his father to take them off their hands. This is ironic, to say the least, as the two hapless kidnappers had hoped that little Johnny's father would pay them a ransom for returning their son.
What is the resolution of the Ransom of Red Chief?
Answer and Explanation: The resolution of the story arrives when the kidnappers have to shell out money to get rid of Johnny Dorset.
What is so ironic about the title The Ransom of Red Chief '?
The "ransom" is quite ironic too, since a ransom is ultimately paid, though the recipient is the would-be victim's father—a 180-degree turn from what we might expect. Thus does the title inform us of the plot, while displaying (in retrospect) the story's overall tone and intent.
How did the Red Chief treat bill?
Red Chief was sitting on Bill's chest, with one hand twined in Bill's hair. In the other he had the sharp case-knife we used for slicing bacon; and he was industriously and realistically trying to take Bill's scalp. The situation affected Bill's resolve to get the ransom.
How did Bill suffer at the hands of Red Chief?
Bill in particular suffered physically at Red Chief's hands (and feet and mouth). He had bruises on his lower legs from being kicked, he had a swollen area behind his left ear from being hit by a rock Red Chief threw, and he had several bites on his hands, not to mention he hadn't slept for over 24 hours.
What is the plot of the story The Ransom of Red Chief?
It follows two men who kidnap and demand a ransom for a wealthy Alabamian's son. Eventually, the men are driven crazy by the boy's spoiled and hyperactive behavior, and they pay the boy's father to take him back.
What is the 3 rising actions of The Ransom of Red Chief?
Rising Actions Sam and Bill kidnap a little boy named Johnny for ransom. Johnny plays Indian and constantly hurts Bill. Sam and Bill write a ransom note to Johnny's father, Ebenezer Dorset. Bill and Johnny start playing black scout.
Who is the antagonist in the story The Ransom of Red Chief?
Protagonist: Sam and Bill – though they are kidnappers, the reader identifies and sympathizes with them. Or Johnny Dorset (Red Chief) – he also is the main focus of the reader's attention. Antagonist: If Sam and Bill are seen as the protagonist, then the force against them is Johnny.
What is the foreshadowing in The Ransom of Red Chief?
The tale's most peerless reversal, foreshadowing the final collapse of the kidnapper's scheme, is when Bill releases Johnny, only to have the boy rejoin them to Bill's horror.
What kind of game does Red Chief play with the kidnapper?
Answer. Red chief plays war games with kidnappers and christens them as Old Hank and Snake Eye.
What is the movie where boy gets kidnapped?
The Boy Behind the DoorThe Boy Behind the Door is a 2020 American horror-thriller film written and directed by David Charbonier and Justin Powell....The Boy Behind the DoorStarringLonnie Chavis Ezra Dewey Kristin Bauer van Straten Micah Hauptman Scott Michael FosterCinematographyJulian Amaru Estrada13 more rows
Why does Mr Dorset ask the kidnappers for money?
Answer: Mr Dorset, the boy's father knew about the violent behaviour of his son and he was confident that the kidnappers would have lost their patience by now and would be ready to do anything to get rid of the boy. Hence, he asked the kidnappers for the money to drop the boy back home.
What did Bill feel about the boy at the end of the story?
Answer. Bill ends up loathing and terrified of little Johnny, the boy they kidnap. He is willing to do almost anything to get him off his hands. The humor and irony in the story turn on what looks like an easy money kidnapping becoming far more than the hapless kidnappers bargained for.
What proposal did Mr Dorset offer the kidnappers?
Mr. Dorset offered an adverse proposal to the kidnappers asking them $250 to take the boy off their hands. 7.
Why is the title "The Ransom of Red Chief" important?
The title “The Ransom of Red Chief” is significant in providing a clue to the reader about the plot. The title is in fact an irony. In the beginning of the story, the reader thinks that the kidnappers’ plan would be successful and they would get the ransom of the little boy in return for his release.
Who wrote the story The Ransom of Red Chief?
Simile. The short story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ is written by O. Henry whose real name was William Sydney Porter and who was known for his comical stories. He was born on 11 September 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. He died of cirrhosis of the liver on 5 June 1910 in New York.
Why does the boy keep bothering Bill?
They are extremely annoyed by him that while writing a note for ransom to his father, they reduce the money for ransom and demand fifteen hundred dollars instead of two thousand because that could increase the chances of the return of that annoying boy soon.
What did Bill propose to take Johnny back?
The note says that the ransom they demanded was too high. He proposed to take two hundred and fifty dollars to take Johnny back. Bill insists on accepting the proposal so that night they go down to the town to leave Johnny home. They hand over Johnny and two hundred and fifty dollars to Ebenezer Dorset.
What is Ebenezer Dorset's response to the kidnappers' demand?
He is expected to be worried about his son but unlike fathers, in reality, his response to the kidnappers’ demand is very calm. His refusal to pay the ransom teaches a lesson to the kidnappers. This apparently unnatural response of him ruins all their plans and saves all the innocent people who might have suffered as a consequence of their other criminal activities.
Why does Johnny come running?
But while the two men talk, Johnny comes running because he does not want to go back home.
What is the theme of the story of the kidnappers?
This story highlights the theme that Expectations are not always fulfilled. The kidnappers expect to gain money by kidnapping a child but the plan gets spoiled and they are compelled to give away some of their money.
What is the story of the ransom of Red Chief about?
The story, "The Ransom of Red Chief," exemplifies situational irony where the results contradict what is expected. The story ended with the kidnappers paying the ransom to the victim and taking off in fear instead of instilling fear and taking the ransom as expected in such situations.
Do Bill and Sam get the ransom money?
Bill and Sam do end up returning Johnny to his father, and they do not collect any of the ransom money. That, in and of itself, is ironic; however, what gives the ending of the story even more situational irony is that Bill and Sam end up paying Mr. Dorset to take his own child back.
What is the theme of the Ransom of Red Chief?
In The Ransom of Red Chief, one theme, or main idea of a story that the author is trying to convey, that's explored is a warning against taking the easy way out. Bill and Sam try for easy money but find themselves in over their heads when they kidnap the wrong kid.
Who wrote the book The Ransom of Red Chief?
Ch 7. The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
What happens when Bill and Sam kidnap Johnny?
However, when they kidnap Johnny, they get more than they bargained for. Johnny's rough and wild ways leave Bill and Sam desperate to get rid of him as soon as possible. Unfortunately for them, Johnny's father recognizes that he is the one with the advantage. Let's examine the theme, conflict, and climax of this short story.
What is the conflict between Johnny and Bill?
The major conflict, or the struggle that drives the plot of the story, is between Johnny and Bill as Johnny seems to enjoy being kidnapped and keeps injuring Bill with his wild form of play. However, an internal struggle ensues about whether their trouble is worth the money they stand to gain from his ransom.
What is the conflict in a story?
The conflict of a story is the struggle that the characters face that drives the plot. Conflicts may be internal or external. In this story, it's a little of both. The main conflict is between Bill and Johnny. Johnny enjoys being kidnapped more than he should and soon takes over.
How did Bill and Sam get rid of Red Chief?
Bill and Sam finally get rid of Red Chief by paying his father to take them off their hands. This is ironic, to say the least, as the two hapless kidnappers had hoped that little Johnny's father would pay them a ransom for returning their son.
What is Red Chief's real name?
Red Chief's real name is Johnny Dorset. Bill and Sam kidnapped the young boy from Ebenezer Dorset because they believed that the man would pay the big ransom demand to get his son back. Unfortunately for Bill and Sam, Johnny Dorset is more than a handful. The boy turns the tables on his captors, and Bill and Sam look for just about any opportunity to get rid of the kid.
What does Little Johnny do in Red Chief?
Little Johnny plays the part of Red Chief in a game that involves attempting to scalp the hapless Bill. For good measure, he attacks him with a hot potato and a rock.
What does Ebenezer Dorset demand?
Ultimately, however, the father's response offers another ironic turn. Rather than paying the ransom (as they had expected), Ebenezer Dorset makes a ransom demand of his own, insisting that the kidnappers pay him two hundred fifty dollars for him to retrieve his son. Overwhelmed, and desperate not to spend any more time at Johnny's mercy, they pay the ransom Ebenezer asks for before fleeing the town as quickly as they can. Thus, the story ends with one last irony, as the ransomers are the ones who pay the ransom so they can escape from the boy they had earlier kidnapped.
What does Red Chief play with?
answer choices. Red Chief plays with his kidnappers and they appreciate the company. Red Chief’s refusal to go home increases the kidnappers’ excitement for ransom. Red Chief’s unpredictable actions frighten Bill, one of the kidnappers.
Who is the kidnapper in Red Chief?
Red Chief’s unpredictable actions frighten Bill, one of the kidnappers.
What does Ebenezer Dorset's letter demand?
Ebenezer Dorset's letter demands $250 in order to receive Johnny back home. Red Chief hits Bill Driscoll with a piece of brick. Sam and Bill hide Johnny in a wagon and take him to the cave. Johnny tells the kidnappers that he wants to stay with him.
Why does a father convince two kidnappers to return his son?
A father convinces two kidnappers to return his son because he is missed by the neighbors. Two kidnappers take a child from a small town and have trouble with the child until they return the child at. night. Two kidnappers develop a scheme to take money from a small-town family but end up paying money to the. father.
What does the narrator feel about the kidnapping?
The narrator does not regret his actions. The narrator feels he is not responsible for the kidnapping.
Who might punish Johnny for running away?
The neighbors might punish Johnny for running away.
Does the narrator regret his actions?
The narrator does not regret his actions.
Background of The Story
"The Ransom of Red Chief" is a short story by O. Henry first published in the July 6, 1907, issue of The Saturday Evening Post. It follows two men who kidnap and demand a ransom for a wealthy Alabamian's son. Eventually, the men are driven crazy by the boy's spoiled and hyperactive behavior, and they pay the boy's father to take him back.
The Ransom of Red Chief Summary
Themes in The Ransom of Red Chief
The Ransom of Red Chief Analysis