Themes In The Ransom Of Red Chief

Does crime really pay? Why do people do wrong things to get what they want? Everyone has wanted something and if they don't get it, they turn to the wrong thing. The short story, “The Ransom of Red Chief ” written by O. Henry shows how two grown men kidnapped a Red Chief for money. The two criminals, Bill and Sam, had a hard time with Red Chief as the kid would torcher the two criminals by throwing rocks at them. Red Chief was a pre-adolescent that was not taught whats right from wrong. The lawbreakers regretted their decision of kidnapping the kid as they ended up returning the boy while also paying two hundred and fifty dollars. O. Henry shows many ways of how crime does not pay. The theme is shown through the use of the characters, plot, …show more content…
Bill and Sam, two mid-aged criminals, go through a rough time with the kid they kidnapped for ransom money. “When I got to the cave I found Bill backed up against the side of it, breathing hard, and the boy threatening to smash him with a rock half as big as a coconut.”(pg 74, para. 30) The kidnappers were scared to be alone with Red Chief as he would be very cruel and mean to them. Bill and Sam were committing a crime and with that crime came an unwanted gift. Red Chief, a ten-year-old boy, loves to hurt people if he does not get what he wants. Bill and Sam went through police raids, train robberies, and earthquakes without showing an emotion. The criminals never lost their temper until they met Red Chief. This relates to the theme as Red Chief tested the criminals abilities and patience. Bill and Sam were two very experienced criminals but they never faced an obstacle like Red …show more content…
The story begins with the villains, Bill and Sam planning on kidnapping a kid for easy money but Red Chief puts up a fight. Bill offers the boy a bag of candy and a ride and the boy responded by throwing a brick at Bill’s eye. This proves the theme as Red Chief brought suffering to the men while they were trying to kidnap him. Red Chief was taken to a cave and it was there that criminal’s plan turned into a nightmare. The climax begins with Red Chief tormenting the criminals when they tried to sleep. Then Bill and Sam receive a letter a letter from, Ebenezer Dorset, the father of Red Chief, which stated that they could return the boy with money. The villains went through so much pain to where getting rid of Red Chief became their first priority. The criminals finally agree on returning the boy with two hundred and fifty dollars. The resolution illustrates the theme as the lawbreakers return the kid and lost money from kidnapping Red Chief instead of earning money. Bill and Sam left Summitt with less money and a lesson that taught them that crime does not