Thoughts to Ponder

Ransom of Red Chief Study Guide

Why did Bill and Sam choose Summit for the kidnapping? (remember philoprogenitiveness)

Why did Bill and Sam want the money from the kidnapping? (they were planning a land swindle)

How much money did they want at first? ($2000)

What is the father’s reply to the ransom note? (give me $250 to take the boy back)

What is the main tone of the story? (surely you can figure this one out!!!)

Where do Sam and Bill hide Red Chief? (in a cave)

Why do they lower the ransom amount? (they want to get rid of Red Chief)

Two examples of irony in the story……(Red Chief is not scared and enjoys the adventure; Mr. Dorsett
demands money from the kidnappers to take the boy back)

Identify cause and effect…..( the cause of Bill becoming more and more frightened of Red Chief would be
what? The effect of Red Chief having so much fun playing cowboys and Indians with Sam and bill is
what?)

What is O. Henry’s real name? (William Sydney Porter)

Where was O. Henry born? (North Carolina)

How did he die? (he died from complications of alcoholism and he was broke when he died)

What was he arrested for? (embezzling money – while in jail he began writing short stories, which is
what he is most famous for)

What is characteristic of an O. Henry short story? (rich vocabulary and ironic twists)
 Ransom of Red Chief Vocabulary
 Impudent - Bold and disrespectful  Calliope - An instrument with steam
whistles

 Provisions - Necessary supplies; food

 Commend - Praise; approve
 Sylvan - Like woods or forest

 Reconnoiter - To seek information

 Proposition - A plan or proposed
about an enemy’s whereabouts
scheme

 Collaborate - Work together

 Cauterized - Burn a wound to stop its
 Comply - To do as asked
bleeding
 Brake - A thick grouping of trees

 Decry - To criticize
 Magic-lantern views - Slides
 Ransom - Payment demanded for
 Diatribe – Bitter, abusive criticism release of person or property

 Dassant - Dare not  Undeleterious - Harmless

 Bas-relief - Slightly raised

 Apparition - A sudden or unusual sight;  Court Plaster - Adhesive cloth for

ghost covering cuts and scratches

 Philoprogenitiveness - Love for one’s

own children

 Depredation - Robbery