The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry Holt Literature p. 52

Allusions in “The Ransom of Red Chief” David and Goliath Biblical allusion to the Old Testament story of the young shepherd David, who killed the giant Goliath with only his slingshot and his faith. King Herod Biblical allusion to the Jewish king who ordered all male Hebrew children under the age of two slaughtered after hearing a prophecy from three wise men of a new king born in Bethlehem. (Jesus of Nazareth). Pirates of Penzance Allusion to a very popular 1880s comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan involving pirates, beautiful women, mistaken identities, and numerous complications.

Allusions in “The Ransom of Red Chief” William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (February 26, 1846 – January 10, 1917) was an American soldier, bison hunter and showman. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for service to the US Army as a scout. One of the most colorful figures of the American Old West, Buffalo Bill became famous for the shows he organized with cowboy themes, which he toured in Great Britain and Europe as well as the United States.

Vocabulary Words in Context apparition- a sudden or unusual sight undeletorious- harmless fraudulent – obtained by deception philoprogentiveness – love for one’s own children diatribe – bitter, abusive criticism provisions – necessary supplies; food welter-weight – boxing term for a contestant weighing under 147 pounds collaborated – to work together on a project impudent – offensive boldness ; disrespectful; insolent commend – to speak highly of comply – to go along with a request ransom – payment for the release of a captive

Academic Vocabulary Verbal irony saying the opposite of what one means. Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony Ex: Saying “it is a lovely day” when it is raining. Dramatic irony The audience or reader knows something that a character doesn’t know. Ex: We know Freddy is behind the door with a knife ready to slash the cheerleader. Ex: We know Anne Frank will never fulfill her dream of living in Paris. Situational irony What happens is not what is expected. Ex: A firestation burns down. Ex: The Joker defeats Batman. Ex: The geek gets the girl. Ex: A man is run over by a bus after collecting the winning lottery ticket.

malapropism Definition: 1. An inappropriateness of speech resulting from the use of one word for another, which resembles it. 2. The unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one of similar sound, especially when creating a ridiculous effect 3. The habit of misusing words ridiculously. Examples: He used a fire distinguisher. "Well I try to look at the bright side. I guess you could say I'm an internal optometrist." (Steve Carell as Barry in Dinner for Schmucks, 2010) Etymology of the term: From the character of Mrs. Malaprop in Richard Sheridan's play The Rivals (1775). One of her noteworthy similes is "as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of the Nile.“ "Why, murder's the matter! slaughter's the matter! killing's the matter! But he can tell you the perpendiculars." (Mrs. Malaprop in Richard Sheridan's The Rivals)

satire In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement. Satire is usually meant to be funny, but its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit as a weapon. Is there an aspect of satire in this story by O. Henry? Who is being held up to ridicule? What type of person does this character represent? tone – satirical

O. Henry William S. Porter

William Sidney Porter His pen name was O. Henry He is known as a master of the short story form and of the surprise ending. He had very little formal education; he was homeschooled by his aunt. He worked in his uncle’s pharmacy and became a licensed pharmacist.

He came to Texas at the age of twenty and worked on a sheep ranch. He used this knowledge of ranch life in many of his stories. He moved to Austin, Texas in He fell in love and married. He became a teller with the First National Bank of Austin. He quit his job at the bank and started a weekly humor magazine called Rolling Stone.

He was found guilty of the embezzlement charges and sentenced to five years in an Ohio prison. While in prison, he wrote many stories using the pen name O. Henry. His pen name helped to shield his true identity. After his release from prison, he moved to New York.

William Sidney Porter (O. Henry) and family

After he moved to New York, he published over three hundred short stories. Porter gained worldwide acclaim as America’s favorite short story writer. He died in 1910 at the age of forty-seven. His last years were troubled by alcoholism, ill health, and financial problems.

There is an O. Henry museum in Austin, Texas near UT. The museum is in a restored cottage that Porter lived in from The O. Henry Museum offers writing programs for adults and children.

O. Henry house in Austin, Texas

O. Henry Prize for short stories Every year prizes are awarded for the best short stories published that year. Officially known as the O. Henry Memorial Award Prize stories, they are usually called O. Henry Prize stories. It is the nation’s most prestigious award for short fiction.

Origin of O. Henry’s pen name???? Ohio Penitentiary ? or named after his cat ?