The ransom of red chief by О. Henry

1.

THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF
BY O. HENRY
MAGOMEDOV

2.

THE AUTHOR
• O. Henry, born William Sydney Porter in 1862, was an American
writer known for his witty short stories with surprise endings. After
working various jobs in his youth, including as a pharmacist's
assistant and draftsman, he moved to Texas, where he began his
writing career and adopted the pen name "O. Henry." His stories
often featured colorful characters and unexpected plot twists.
Despite early success, Porter faced legal troubles and served time in
prison for embezzlement. He later moved to New York City, where
he continued writing until his death in 1910. O. Henry's stories
remain popular for their humor, irony, and insight into human
nature.

3.

THE PLOT
In "The Ransom of Red Chief," two men, Bill and Sam, plan to kidnap a boy named Johnny,
hoping to get a ransom from his wealthy father, Mr. Dorset. They think it'll be an easy job,
but they quickly realize that the they themselves turn out to be victims of the boy. Johnny,
nicknamed Red Chief because of his fiery red hair, turns out to be a wild and mischievous
child. He terrorizes the kidnappers with his pranks and antics, making their lives miserable.

4.

THE CONFLICT
The primary conflict in "The Ransom of Red Chief" is Man vs. Circumstance. Bill and Sam,
the two kidnappers, find themselves in an increasingly absurd and challenging situation as
they struggle to deal with the unruly and disobedient boy who calls himself Red Chief. Their
plans to extort money from his father continually fail because of the unpredictable and
chaotic nature of their “victim”

5.

THE SETTING
The story is set in the early 20th century in rural Alabama, likely in the fictional town of
Summit. The specific setting is a remote campsite in the woods where Bill and Sam take Red
Chief after kidnapping him. This setting is significant because it isolates the characters from
outside help and intensifies the challenges they face in dealing with Red Chief.

6.

THEMES: IRONY AND CHILDHOOD
• One of the central themes of the story is irony and humor. O. Henry uses irony to great
effect, particularly in the reversal of roles between the kidnappers and their victim.
Instead of being intimidated by his captors, Red Chief himself becomes their intimidation,
turning the tables on them with his relentless pranks and antics.
• The story also touches on the theme of childhood and innocence. Red Chief embodies
the liveliness and mischief often associated with childhood. His antics serve as a reminder
of the joy and spontaneity of childhood, contrasting with the monotone life of the adult
characters.

7.

THE MESSAGES
The message of "The Ransom of Red Chief" can be interpreted in several ways:
1.
Expect the Unexpected
2.
Don't Underestimate Others
3.
The Acceptance