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Situational Irony In The Ransom Of Red Chief

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In the story, “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry, his use of irony can be seen throughout the story to develop the use of a humorous tone. This story mostly contains situational irony, which is a contradiction between what happens and what is expected to happen, but also contains examples of verbal irony, when a word or phrase is used to suggest the opposite of its usual meaning. Both verbal and situational irony are used throughout the story to develop a humorous tne. Situational irony is used in many instances in the story to create humor One of the first instances of situational irony is when the “would be” kidnappers first carry little “Red Chief” off to their lair. The reader expects the kidnappers to have a number of different traits …show more content…

We had five puppies. What makes your nose so red, Hank? My father has lots of money. Are the stars hot? I whipped Ed Walker twice, Saturday. I don’t like girls. You dassent catch toads unless with a string. Do oxen make any noise? Why are oranges round? Have you got beds to sleep on in this cave? Amos Murray has six toes. A parrot can talk, but a monkey or a fish can’t. How many does it take to make twelve?’” (Henry 2)This helps develop a humorous tone because the ways that the child acts around the kidnappers is the opposite of what the reader expects. A final example of situational irony is when “Red Chief’s” father responds to the ransom note. The reader expects that the father will be worried due to the child’s sudden disappearance and be angry and devastated at the same time. Again, the father does not react as expected, instead he writes a note to the kidnappers to pay him the money so that they could give the child back. “Two Desperate Men. Gentlemen: I received your letter to-day by post, in regard to the ransom you ask for the return of my son. I think you are a little high in your demands, and I hereby make you a counter-proposition, which I am inclined to believe you will accept. You bring Johnny home and pay me two hundred and fifty dollars in cash, and I agree to take him off your

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