The Ransom of Red Chief
The Ransom of Red Chief is a fine example of O. Henry’s use of irony.
In the town of Summit, Missouri, no one has a better imagination than little Andy Dorset. When Andy’s antics push his father over the edge, the boy decides to run away. Coincidentally, a pair of down-and-out swindlers are looking for someone to hold for ransom in order to make back their money on a scheme gone bad. Unfortunately for them, Andy isn’t your average kid — or your average kidnapping victim.
- About the author: William Sydney Porter (better known by his pen name O. Henry) was an American writer known primarily for his short stories. His works include The Gift of the Magi, The Duplicity of Hargraves, and The Ransom of Red Chief, as well as the novel Cabbages and Kings. Porter’s stories are recognizable for their naturalist observations, witty narration and surprise endings.
