“The Ransom of Red Chief” – O. Henry

Summary

In The Ransom of Red Chief, two kidnappers think they’ve found an easy target in a young boy from a wealthy family. But their plan backfires when the boy turns out to be uncontrollable and completely enjoys being “kidnapped.” The kidnappers are pushed to the edge, and in a twist of irony, they end up paying the boy’s father just to get rid of him. It’s a humorous story filled with unexpected turns and a great example of O. Henry’s signature surprise endings.

 

Character

- Sam – One of the kidnappers; the narrator of the story.

- Bill – Sam’s partner; suffers the most from the boy’s wild behavior.

- Johnny (a.k.a. “Red Chief”) – The young boy who gets kidnapped; wild, energetic, and thinks he’s playing a game.

- Ebenezer Dorset – Johnny’s father, who turns the tables on the kidnappers.

Plot Elements

Exposition - Sam and Bill, two small-time crooks, come up with a plan to kidnap a boy and demand a ransom from his wealthy father.

 

Rising action - They kidnap Johnny and take him to a cave, but things quickly go wrong. Johnny is wild, loves pretending to be “Red Chief,” and drives Bill crazy with his constant play and rough behavior.

Climax - Instead of wanting his son back desperately, Johnny’s father refuses to pay the ransom – and instead demands that the kidnappers pay him to take Johnny off their hands.

Resolution - Desperate to be rid of Johnny, Sam and Bill agree to pay Ebenezer and quickly return the boy. They run off, exhausted and defeated.

Analysis & Feelings
This story was really funny and clever. I expected the kidnappers to be in control, but it was hilarious how the boy turned the tables on them. I liked the twist at the end – it was unexpected and made me laugh. The story shows how plans can go totally wrong, especially when you underestimate someone. I felt a little sorry for the kidnappers, but mostly I just enjoyed the humor and chaos. It’s a fun story that reminds you not everything goes the way you expect.