The Ransom of Red Chief

The Ransom of Red Chief

1. What point of view is this story told in, and how do you know?

First person, it was narrated

2. What reason do Bill and Sam have for kidnapping the boy?

They need money from his rich dad for a real estate fraud scheme

3. What is the boy doing when the two men come upon him?

Throwing rocks at a cat

4. Why is it ironic that the boy says that he’s “never had such fun in all my life”?

People do not usually have fun when they are getting kidnapped

5. What is meant by the metaphor that Ebenezer Dorset was “an uptight collection-plate passer and forecloser”?

He doesn't give away his money easy, he is a miser

6. What is one example of allusion in this story? Include the page number.
Pirates of pinzans, ebenezer Scrooge from a Christmas carol, David and Goliath 

7. What is ironic about Mr. Dorset’s counteroffer (the note)?

He is making them pay him to give the kid back

8. What is the central conflict of the story?

The people kidnapping the boy for money end up wanting to give him back but he will not return to his parents. Two kidnappers come across a kid who is very annoying

9. What does Red Chief’s father think of him? 
He is a burden 

10.  What message about parenting and child-rearing is O. Henry trying to express to     readers? Think about what Red Chief’s dad thinks of him, and why Red Chief     doesn’t want to go home.

Clearly the parents are not doing a good job because the boy does not want to go back to his parents.

11.  How does O. Henry incorporate humor into this story?  


Irony, slapstick