The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry Review

1. Why do Sam and Bill need money? They need the money to pull off a scam in Western Illinois.

2. Why do Bill and Sam choose Summit as a location for the kidnapping? There is a mountain where the men can hide out, there are few law-enforcement officials, and a wealthy family lives there.

3. Why do they choose to kidnap this particular boy? They chose him because he is the only child of a wealthy family in Summit.

4. Describe the kidnapped boy. Red Chief is a talkative, curious, energetic boy, with a streak of mischief. He has red hair, freckles, and is ten years old.

5. Why don’t the kidnappers worry that the boy might run away? They don’t worry because Red Chief has made it clear that he is having a good time.

6. Where do they hide the boy after they kidnap him? They all hide in a cave in a nearby mountain.

7. What are Bill Driscoll’s feelings toward Johnny, the kidnapped boy? He fears Johnny.

8. How does Johnny feel about being kidnapped? Johnny is having a good time and enjoying his adventure.

9. How does Sam feel about Bill’s relationship with Johnny? He feels sympathy for Bill. He feels sorry for Bill having endured torment from Johnny.

10. How does Johnny feel about Sam? Johnny respects Sam.

11. What is the kidnappers’ first clue that the Dorsets are not alarmed at their son’s kidnapping? They look out over the mountain, no one is looking for the boy, no scouts are out hunting for him, and the surrounding valley is peaceful.

12. What is surprising about Ebenezer Dorset’s response to the ransom letter? He demands that the kidnappers pay him to take the boy back.

13. Describe how Bill Driscoll is tormented by Johnny. First, Johnny tries to scalp him. Next, Johnny puts a hot boiled potato down Bill’s back and then mashes it with his foot. Johnny also slings a rock and hits Bill behind his left ear causing him to fall in the fire. Finally, Bill gets down on his hands and knees pretending to be a “hoss” for one of Red Chief’s games.

14. What happens after Bill sends Johnny home? Johnny comes back.

15. What is the boy’s reaction to finally being set free by his captors? He does not want to go home. He holds tightly to Bill’s leg and lets out a howl. His father has to peel him off and hold on to him so that Sam and Bill can get away.

16. What is a prediction? Predicting means making an intelligent guess about outcomes or what will happen next in a story based on details in the text and your prior knowledge.

prominent Widely known

emit To utter; send forth or give out, as a sound

dote To show extreme affection

peremptory Allowing no refusal

decry To criticize openly

comply To obey or go along with a request

renegade One who abandons or turns against a group, cause, or allegiance; traitor

palatable Agreeable to the taste, mind, or feelings; acceptable

impudent Boldly discourteous

The End Good luck and study hard!