The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry (Intermediate)

 

story

 Bill Driscoll and I found ourselves in Alabama with a joint capital of about six hundred dollars. We needed two thousand more to pull off a fraudulent town-lot scheme in Western Illinois. Philoprogenitiveness, we reasoned, was strong in semi-rural communities, making kidnapping a potentially profitable venture.

Our victim is the only child of Ebenezer Dorset, a tight-fisted man. We figured he'd pay a hefty ransom for his son. We kidnapped the boy, Red Chief, with the intention of holding him until the ransom was paid.

But the Red Chief proved to be more trouble than we bargained for. He relished the adventure, transforming into "Red Chief, the terror of the plains," and turning our plans upside down.

 Despite our best efforts to control him, the Red Chief's antics and relentless energy wore us down. Bill, in particular, reached his breaking point, unable to withstand the boy's incessant demands and mischief.

In a desperate attempt to end the ordeal, Bill sent Red Chief home with a counter-proposal to his father: a reduced ransom in exchange for taking the boy off our hands. We agreed, eager to be rid of him.

 As we left Red Chief with his father and hastily paid the reduced ransom, we couldn't help but feel a sense of relief mixed with exhaustion. Our kidnapping scheme had turned into a lesson in humility and endurance.

Though we lost the ransom money, we gained a newfound appreciation for the simplicity of life and the importance of thinking through our schemes more carefully. And as we fled from Summit, we couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of our misadventure.

 

 

Words and Idioms

Study them with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/905985295/the-ransom-of-red-chief-by-o-henry-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1jqt

• Pull off (phrase): successfully carry out the scheme
• Fraudulent (adjective): dishonest and deceitful in nature.
• Town-lot scheme (noun phrase): a plan to deceive people by selling them plots of land in a town under false pretenses.
• Philoprogenitiveness (noun): love of one's offspring; parental affection.
• semi-rural (adjective): partially rural; having some characteristics of both rural and urban areas.
• kidnapping (noun): the act of unlawfully seizing and carrying away a person by force or fraud, often for ransom.
• Potentially (adverb): possibly; with the capacity to become or develop into something.
• Victim (noun): a person who is harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event.
• A tight-fisted man (noun phrase): a person who is unwilling to spend or give money; someone who is very reluctant to part with their money.
• Ransom (noun): a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a captive.
• Hefty (adjective): large in amount, size, or extent; substantial.
• Intention (noun): a purpose or plan; a determination to act in a certain way.
• Bargain for (phrase): to anticipate or expect something; to consider or take into account a particular outcome or possibility.
• Relished (verb): enjoyed greatly; took pleasure in.
• Upside down (adjective): in or into a state of chaos or confusion; completely disorganized.
• Antics (noun): playful, silly, or humorous acts or actions.
• Relentless (adjective): continuous and persistent.
• Wear down (phrasal verb): to gradually weaken or erode someone's strength, patience, or resistance.
• Breaking point (noun phrase): the point at which a person gives way under stress; a moment of collapse or failure.
• Withstand (verb): to resist or endure the force or effect of something without being affected adversely.
• Incessant demands (noun phrase): continuous and unrelenting requests or requirements.
• Mischief (noun): playful misbehavior or troublemaking, especially in children.
• A desperate attempt to (noun phrase): a frantic or urgent effort to achieve something, often in a situation of desperation.
• ordeal(noun): a severe or difficult experience; a painful or trying situation that tests one's endurance or resolve.
• Counter-proposal (noun): a proposal made in response to another proposal, often with modifications or alterations.
• Eager (adjective): keen or enthusiastic.
• Rid of (idiom): to free oneself or someone else from something or someone unwanted or undesirable.
• Humility (noun): the quality of being humble or modest; the absence of pride or arrogance.
• Endurance (noun): the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; the capacity to endure.
• Misadventure (noun): an unfortunate incident or mishap, especially one causing injury or death.
• A newfound appreciation (noun phrase): a recently acquired understanding or recognition of the value or significance of something.
• Couldn't help but (phrase): used to express that it is impossible to avoid or prevent something, often implying a strong inclination or compulsion to do so.

 

Questions

 

1. What was the initial intention behind the kidnapping of Red Chief?

a) To teach Red Chief's father a lesson

b) To seek revenge on Red Chief for misbehaving

c) To demand a hefty ransom from Red Chief's father

d) To make Red Chief appreciate the value of money

 

2. How did the kidnappers feel about Red Chief's behavior during the ordeal?

a) They were amused by his antics

b) They were frustrated by his mischief

c) They were indifferent to his actions

d) They were proud of his adventurous spirit

 

3. Why did Bill Driscoll and the narrator choose to kidnap Red Chief?

a) Because they wanted to teach him a lesson

b) Because they needed money for a scheme

c) Because they were friends with Red Chief's father

d) Because they wanted to take revenge on Red Chief

 

4. What was the outcome of the counter-proposal sent to Red Chief's father?

a) The father agreed to pay the full ransom amount

b) The kidnappers were relieved of their duties

c) The father accepted a reduced ransom to take Red Chief back

d) The kidnappers decided to keep Red Chief permanently

 

5. What does the character of Red Chief symbolize in the story?

a) Innocence and naivety

b) Rebellion and mischief

c) Authority and power

d) Wealth and privilege

 

6. How does the story explore the theme of humility?

a) Through the kidnappers' realization of their own limitations

b) Through Red Chief's willingness to forgive the kidnappers

c) Through the father's decision to pay the ransom

d) Through the community's reaction to the kidnapping

AP-test style writing topics:

1. Discuss the theme of unexpected consequences in "The Ransom of Red Chief" and how it influences the development of the plot and characters.

1. Analyze the character of Bill Driscoll in "The Ransom of Red Chief," considering his motivations, actions, and development throughout the story.

1. Compare and contrast the attitudes of the kidnappers towards Red Chief at the beginning and end of the story, examining how their perceptions change over time.

Answer Keys

• 1.  c) To demand a hefty ransom from Red Chief's father
• 2.  b) They were frustrated by his mischief
• 3. b) Because they needed money for a scheme

• 4. c) The father accepted a reduced ransom to take Red Chief back
• 5. b) Rebellion and mischief

• 6. a) Through the kidnappers' realization of their own limitations

Sample Writing Answers

• 1. "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry is a classic tale that revolves around the theme of unexpected consequences. Initially, the kidnappers, Bill Driscoll and the narrator, embark on their scheme with the hope of securing a hefty ransom from Red Chief's father. However, their plan takes an unforeseen turn when Red Chief proves to be more trouble than they bargained for. His mischievous and rebellious nature disrupts their carefully laid-out scheme and throws them into chaos.
•  
• As the story progresses, the unexpected consequences of their actions become increasingly apparent. Red Chief's relentless energy and antics wear down the kidnappers, particularly Bill, who reaches his breaking point. Their initial expectations of an easy payday are shattered, and they find themselves grappling with a situation they never anticipated.
•  
• The theme of unexpected consequences influences the development of both the plot and characters. The kidnappers' reactions to Red Chief's behavior reveal their own limitations and vulnerabilities. Their desperation to end the ordeal highlights the unforeseen challenges they face and forces them to confront the consequences of their actions.

•  
• 2. In "The Ransom of Red Chief," Bill Driscoll emerges as a central character whose motivations, actions, and development drive the narrative forward. Initially motivated by financial gain, Bill partners with the narrator to carry out the kidnapping of Red Chief, hoping to secure a ransom from his father. However, as the story unfolds, Bill's character undergoes significant development.
•  
• Throughout the ordeal, Bill's frustration with Red Chief's behavior grows, eventually reaching a breaking point. His actions and reactions to the situation reveal his resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges. Despite his initial greed and determination, Bill ultimately realizes the futility of his scheme and decides to send Red Chief home, sacrificing the ransom in exchange for relief from the chaos.
•  
• Overall, Bill's character arc in "The Ransom of Red Chief" reflects the theme of unexpected consequences. His motivations and actions lead to unforeseen outcomes, forcing him to reassess his priorities and confront the limitations of his own capabilities. Through his character, O. Henry explores the complexities of human nature and the consequences of pursuing selfish desires.

•  
• 3. In "The Ransom of Red Chief," the attitudes of the kidnappers towards Red Chief undergo a significant transformation from the beginning to the end of the story. Initially, they view Red Chief as a means to an end, valuing him solely for the ransom they hope to collect. They see him as a naive child who will be easily controlled and manipulated.
•  
• However, as the story unfolds, the kidnappers' perceptions of Red Chief begin to change. They quickly realize that Red Chief is not the passive victim they expected him to be. Instead, his mischievous and rebellious nature disrupts their plans and turns their scheme upside down. Despite their best efforts to control him, Red Chief proves to be more trouble than they bargained for.
•  
• By the end of the story, the kidnappers' attitudes towards Red Chief have shifted dramatically. They no longer see him as a potential source of profit but as a force to be reckoned with. They come to admire his resilience and spirit, even as they struggle to cope with the chaos he creates. Ultimately, they decide to send Red Chief home, sacrificing the ransom in exchange for relief from his relentless energy.
•  
• Overall, the evolution of the kidnappers' attitudes towards Red Chief highlights the theme of unexpected consequences. Their initial expectations are overturned as they grapple with the reality of the situation, forcing them to reassess their perceptions and priorities. Through their interactions with Red Chief, O. Henry explores the complexities of human nature and the unpredictability of life.

 

All rights reserved by 비투게더 

 

​SAT, ACT, TOEFL, MAP, AP, IB, SSAT 과외는 과외의 모든 것

비투게더(www.betogether.co.kr.)에서! 지금 유명 강사진을 꼭 확인하세요!

 

 

Do you want to study more with teachers? 

Click the email link and ask me anything you want. then I will give you more information and help you find a good-fit teacher. 

charmingnr.0213@gmail.com