“Ransom of Red Chief” CER You would expect that in a kidnapping for the victim to be very scared and helpless. But that's the exact opposite that happens in O. Henry’s short story, “Ransom of Red Chief”. It is a low level of comedy that uses irony and comic situations to convey the idea that what goes around, comes around. Bill and Sam are two desperate men who are in need of some money. “During a moment of temporary mental apparition” they decide to play their cards dirty and attempt to kidnap a child in the village of Summit for some quick cash. They then take him to a small mountain-side near the village and provide a ransom to his parents for his safe return. Then they start to run into some problems, however. Johnny, the kid being “kidnapped”, is a small, uncontrollable inferno that can’t be kept in check by his so-called captives and his parents know that. After a few days they suggest that Johnny be returned immediately and in return they’ll “take him off their hands.” …show more content…
At first sight the kid seems like an ordinary person and Bill and Sam decide to use the same “Hey kid, you want some candy?”, trick. And even though the kid puts up a little fight for the two men, they still manage to capture the kid into their van and drive him away. That's when the trouble starts. The kid proves to be a horrendous beast incapable to be kept in control. This is ironic because even though Johnny is the victim of the kidnapping, he still sends terror through the boots of his “captors”. Another ironic event that happens has something to do with the ransom itself. Bill and Sam asked for ransom for the return for the kid. But little Johnny’s mother knows exactly the trouble the two will go through and in turn asks for his return immediately. And on top of that, she even asks for $250 from them. These events make the story ironic and provide