The author, O. Henry, in the fictional narrative, “The Ransom of Red Chief”, uses comic language within the characters and comic situations in order to make his story humorous. To begin, the author uses the Superiority Theory to create a comic situation within the character, Bill Driscoll, who, along with another man (Sam) capture 10 year old Johnny Dorset because he is the son of Ebenezer Dorset, a wealthy man. Little did they know, Johnny liked to be kidnapped- and in charge. For example, when Bill writes a letter to Ebenezer demanding $2000 in order to have his son back, Ebenezer responds to the letter, writing, “You bring Johnny home and pay me two hundred and fifty dollars in cash, and agree to take him off your hands” (O. Henry 78). This example represents the Superiority Theory because
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In addition, this example represents high comedy because of the irony that they wanted Ebenezer to pay $2000, but the men were the ones who paid Ebenezer $250. Also, when most people think of a child, they think of one who is sweet, innocent, and natïve, so they would not think a child is capable of intimidating an adult. As a result, the reaction would most likely be a chuckle or grin because one would have to understand the plot in order to find it funny. Moreover, the author uses comic language such as irony to add a touch of personality to Sam, the narrator, and use the Superiority Theory. This is shown as the narrator, Sam, has a speech pattern which includes tongue in cheek humor and descriptive phrases and expressions, and these aspects of Sam’s character were created by O. Henry, in order to keep the tone of the story light and satirical. In the beginning of the story, Sam is describing the town Johnny lives in, saying it is “as flat as a flannel-cake, and called Summit, of
In addition, this example represents high comedy because of the irony that they wanted Ebenezer to pay $2000, but the men were the ones who paid Ebenezer $250. Also, when most people think of a child, they think of one who is sweet, innocent, and natïve, so they would not think a child is capable of intimidating an adult. As a result, the reaction would most likely be a chuckle or grin because one would have to understand the plot in order to find it funny. Moreover, the author uses comic language such as irony to add a touch of personality to Sam, the narrator, and use the Superiority Theory. This is shown as the narrator, Sam, has a speech pattern which includes tongue in cheek humor and descriptive phrases and expressions, and these aspects of Sam’s character were created by O. Henry, in order to keep the tone of the story light and satirical. In the beginning of the story, Sam is describing the town Johnny lives in, saying it is “as flat as a flannel-cake, and called Summit, of