Created by; Lesson 11: Draft and revise your essay. © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Lit Priest, The Ransom of Red Chief Characters Analysis, Literary Devices in The Ransom of Red Chief. The Ransom of Red Chief Summary. It is printed on a folding page, sort of like a map. There was a town down there, as flat as a pancake, and called Summit. One of the examples is when Johnny tried to remove Bill’s scalp with a knife, Bill was extremely terrified as the narrator says “Bill’s spirit was broken.”, Simile is the direct comparison of two things. In “The Ransom of Red Chief,” the kidnappers are defeated not by any scheme devised by Johnny but simply by his nature. The Ransom of Red Chief. Dramatic Irony in ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ is when Bill takes Johnny back home and he does not know that Johnny is following him back to the cave while the reader knows it. Looking for ways to raise money, they settle on the idea of kidnapping and ransoming a local child. No sign of disturbance and worried people searching for the kid can be seen. The story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ begins when two men, Bill and Sam need some money desperately. “The Ransom of Red Chief” is a comedy. With modern … They select the small to… In the other, he had a sharp knife. "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry is a short story about two criminals who kidnap the son of a prominent citizen and hold him for ransom. Completa ejercicios de inglés diarios creados por profesores nativos en bitgab Johnny Dorset plays different games with Bill Driscoll. wit. The ransom of Red Chief is the story of Sam and Bill and their attempt to raise $2000 for the next illegal scheme in Illinois. In the beginning of the story, the reader thinks that the kidnappers’ plan would be successful and they would get the ransom of the little boy in return for his release. The kidnappers are sure of their plan and they think that it will work out perfectly but at the end, the opposite thing happens. So the Red Chief is a symbol for ‘the one in control’ though the kidnappers consider Johnny as the captivated one. The boy is so obnoxious that the kidnappers pay the father to take the boy back. Bill and Sam sure didn't anticipate the lesson they learned, "Crime sure doesn't pay!" That's when the idea to kidnap a child and hold him for ransom occurs to them. He then returns to the cave. Like many of O. Henry’s works. Two hobos strike on a get-rich quick scheme to kidnap an overly-energetic nine-year-old son of a … Discuss what the word ransom means to you. Firstly, the kidnappers who kidnap a little mischievous boy but cannot control him. This victim seems delighted by the crime and quickly dubs himself Red Chief. He, unlike real kids, enjoys being kidnapped. It progresses in a light and humorous way. He is a trouble-maker. The Ransom of Red Chief (By O. Henry) Download MP3. Like many of O. Henry's works, the story is notable for its plays on words, humor, and plot twist. They search for ways to get it, and eventually think of kidnapping a child from the town called Summit, and get ransom of 2000 dollars. LitPriest is a free resource of high-quality study guides and notes for students of English literature. Originally published at - http://learningenglish.voanews.com/media/video/3126255.html “The Ransom of Red Chief” derives from the tall tale so familiar in American humor. Sam who narrates the story says that they already have six hundred dollars and they need two thousand more to work on an illegal project. The kidnappers are taught a lesson at the end when the reader expects them to get a ransom from Johnny’s father, a twist is observed. It has also been adapted for many children’s books and television episodes. He asks his fellow whether he knows who his favorite character is? Secondly, the boy’s character is developed in an exaggerated way. He does not seem to be a victim rather the kidnappers seem to be the victims of his mischievousness. "The boy put up a fight like a welter-weight cinnamon bear" Located in Rural Alabama Small Town of Summit Peaceful Town Cave Up in Mountains Late 1800s "Wild West" Humorous Attitude Direct Characterization Examples: "The father was Bill insists on accepting the proposal so that night they go down to the town to leave Johnny home. The short story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ has a very light and funny tone. Old Tightwad receives the communication and makes them a counter-proposition as follows: "If you will bring Johnny home and pay me twenty-five dollars in cash, I'll take the boy off your hand. Two small-time criminals, Bill and Sam, kidnap Johnny, the 10-year-old red-haired son of Ebenezer Dorset, an important citizen, and hold him for ransom. The story “ The Ransom of Red Chief ” besides being interesting and funny is rather instructive. He proposed to take two hundred and fifty dollars to take Johnny back. In the beginning of the story, the reader thinks that the kidnappers’ plan would be successful and they would get the ransom of the little boy in return for his release. One example of simile is when Johnny plays with Bill. The short story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ emphasizes the idea that unlawful means of gaining money is a bad thing and it may not pay us as expected. The story talks about two men who are in need of money for which they plan to kidnap the child of a wealthy man. A Wealthy man who belongs to the town of Summit. The narrator says that “Bill gets down on all his fours and a look comes in his eye like a rabbit’s when you catch it in a trap.”. The title is in fact an irony. He does not let the kidnappers sleep at night and keep troubling them even in the morning. It's about some desperadoes who kidnap a boy for ransom. The boy is so obnoxious that the kidnappers pay the father to take the boy back. Though they are so irritated and annoyed by him, they seem helpless and unable to handle him. They pick up the boy and take him to a cave hideout, but there the tables are turned. They are extremely annoyed by him that while writing a note for ransom to his father, they reduce the money for ransom and demand fifteen hundred dollars instead of two thousand because that could increase the chances of the return of that annoying boy soon. Struggling with distance learning? This story was adapted for VOA Learning English by Shelley Gollust. This apparently unnatural response of him ruins all their plans and saves all the innocent people who might have suffered as a consequence of their other criminal activities. With a well written plot, great humor, memorable characters, and a surprise ending, The Ransom of Red Chief is sure to linger with readers for quite a while. There are four characters in this short story. The end is very surprising. This story highlights the theme that Expectations are not always fulfilled. When Johnny realizes that they are leaving, he clings to Bill’s leg but his father pulls him away. Its attitude is humorous and it is fun to read the story. Is… We were down South, in Alabama -- Bill Driscoll and myself -- when this kidnapping idea struck us. But wait till I tell you. We present the short story “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry. The idea is a brilliant one so they decide to act upon their plan in a small and quiet town called Summit in Alabama. and plot turn. The Ransom Of Red Chief by O. Henry, 1907 The magic trick: The comedy of not just the story’s idea but its execution Love him or hate him, O. Henry played an essential role in developing the American short story. Red Chief was sitting on Bill's chest, with one hand holding his hair. It may be internal or external. He and his partner Bill Driscoll need to raise an extra $250 in order to start a major real estate scam in Illinois. In the other he had the sharp case-knife we used for slicing bacon; and he was industriously and realistically trying to take Bill’s scalp, according to the sentence that had been pronounced upon him the evening before. It occurs to them that a kidnapping would be an easy way to raise the money. The writer wanted to tell that one has to pay for everything in life: one can’t steal money as easily as it seems. Tone And Mood Mrs. Lewis 8c PPT. Like many of O. Henry’s works. The Ransom of Red Chief Summary " The Ransom of Red Chief" is a short story by O. Henry about two hapless criminals who try to hold a trouble-making boy for ransom. Nov 25th, 2019 “The Ransom of Red Chief” is a short story written by American writer William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry. The kidnappers expect to gain money by kidnapping a child but the plan gets spoiled and they are compelled to give away some of their money. Size of the photo: Approximately 8 x 10 They both have jointly six hundred dollars but they need two thousand more to carry out a project. Build Background *!l"ilel;'' This story was published in 1910 when methods of catching criminals were simple and unsophisticated. It was first published in the issue of The Saturday Evening Post on the 6th of July 1907. August 18, 2019. The author has highlighted the point of ‘poetic justice’ in the story. Irony is a literary device in which what is expected is different from what actually happens. He sees the whole thing as nothing more than a fun game, and ends up tormenting his captors so much that they pay his father just to take him back. They get it in their head that by kidnapping the son of a small town official they can easily gather a little extra capital needed for a real-estate swindle. A metaphor is when a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable. They are not paid any ransom for Johnny’s release rather they are forced to pay money to his father to get rid of him. The boy pretends to be a "wild" Indian named Red Chief and terrorizes the kidnappers. Johnny beats him and forces him to play with him. The ten years old boy with red hair named Johnny Dorset is the only son of Ebenezer Dorset. Don't worry for the child's welfare, though - things do not go well for these two crooks in O. Henry's amusing short story ''The Ransom of Red Chief.'' eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'litpriest_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',101,'0','0']));This story is a blend of Classical Comedy and American tall tale. He is expected to be worried about his son but unlike fathers, in reality, his response to the kidnappers’ demand is very calm. The boy, instead of weeping and wailing for home and mother, proclaims himself "Red Chief" and makes it uncomfortable for his captors. Then I saw the short movie based on the story and I knew it would be lame. The story progresses in a humorous way but it has an element of morality. They choose the town of Summit for carrying out their plan because it is backward and populated with more children so it is unlikely to be caught by anyone. Download full The Ransom Of Red Chief books PDF, EPUB, Tuebl, Textbook, Mobi or read online The Ransom Of Red Chief anytime and anywhere on any device. "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry is a short story about two criminals who kidnap the son of a prominent citizen and hold him for ransom. While sending the note to Ebenezer Dorset, Sam hears a man saying that Ebenezer Dorset’s son has been kidnapped. The story's narratoris a conman who is known only as Sam. The Ransom of Red Chief It looked like a good thing: but wait till I tell you. He is also the narrator of the story. Moviephoto from the movie: The Ransom Of Red Chief aka Gangster Boss. He was born on 11 September 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. The Ransom of Red Chief is now widely used in English, language, and literature textbooks around the world and has always been one of the favorites. It was, as Bill after ward expressed it, “during a moment of temporary … It was produced by Lawan Davis. Download The Ransom Of Red Chief Book PDF. Plot Summary "The Ransom of Red Chief" is a short story written by American writer William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry. King Herod is, in fact, a symbol for Bill’s increasing anger and frustration in response to Johnny’s mischievousness. With a partner create a word web, like the one shown. Johnny gets kidnapped for a ransom of two thousand dollars but he is so naughty that he spoils the kidnappers’ plan. The boy is ten years old, and he seems not to be afraid at all. We looked at the following three types of irony: Verbal irony is when what a character says and what he means are opposites. This is the type of irony in which the writer uses such words that say something different from what they actually mean. With nonsensical prattle, childish demands and mild physical abuse, the boy demands they entertain him, refusing to return to his home even when they release him from his captivity out of desperation to be rid of his antics. Internal conflict is when a character faces some tension within himself. They kidnap the only ten-year-old son of a prominent citizen named Ebenezer Dorset … Bill and Sam, two petty criminals looking for an easy two thousand dollars, hatch a plot to kidnap and hold for ransom Johnny, the 10-year-old son of Ebenezer Dorset, a wealthy pillar of the community. But the reader gets astonished when the story closes. Fulfilling their plan, they kidnap a ten- year old boy who is a son of a respectable and tight mortgage fancier. The story is full of ironies and unexpected events. It is just like O. Henry’s other stories which are full of wit, twist and unexpected endings. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class.”. The short story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ is set in the town of Summit and a cave in a mountain in Alabama. It was, as Bill after ward expressed it, “during a moment of temporary mental apparition”; but we didn’t find that out till later. We cannot guarantee that every book is in the library. Sam and Bill are two-bit con men who travel the lower territories of the American wilds looking for small money-making schemes that we're guessing end up exploding in their faces. The ransom that the kidnappers want to release Johnny, they are compelled to pay it to his father, to get rid of the mischievous boy. Furthermore, Ebenezer Dorset’s character is also developed in an unexpected way. It leaves the reader in amazement.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'litpriest_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',102,'0','0'])); The story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ begins when two men, Bill and Sam need some money desperately. Two swindlers who probably more than once had dark cases, decided to get money for a boy, who turned out to be a real scamp. O. Henry and his "The Ransom of Red Chief" do not need my review (a charming little story about a kidnapped boy who drives his captors crazy; sort of a early 20th century Home Alone). We were down South, in Alabama—Bill Driscoll and myself— when this kidnapping idea struck us. They act upon their plan but the plan goes wrong when their victim unexpectedly enjoys himself being kidnapped. The Ransom of Red Chief begins with Sam and Bill, a pair of petty criminals, arriving in the town of Summit, Alabama with little to their name and looking for two thousand dollars to set up a scheme in Illinois. Then they go to catch their victim and find the ten years old boy from a street and take him to the cave which is two miles away from the town. Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas and qualities in such a way that their symbolic meaning is different from their literary meaning. | Certified Educator " The Ransom of Red Chief " is the story of Sam and Bill and their attempt to raise "two thousand dollars more to pull off a fraudulent town-lot scheme in Western Illinois." April 18, 2020. admin Comedy. He inquires about the situation there but unexpectedly everything seems calm and quiet. In ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ Johnny is that external force that keeps annoying the kidnappers. But in fact, it is Johnny who is really ‘in charge’ of controlling. Both the kidnappers run as fast and as far as they could. The Ransom of Red Chief Introduction "The Ransom of Red Chief" can be summed up in one short phrase that has been the downfall of everday men and great empires alike: "It seemed like a good idea at the time." "The Ransom of Red Chief" is a short story by O. Henry first published in the July 6, 1907 issue of The Saturday Evening Post.It follows two men who kidnap, and demand a ransom for, a wealthy Alabamian's son. Red hair is associated with wild nature. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Johnny is, himself, the ultimate ten-year-old terror, certainly worse than most small sys his age but not so unlike them as to be a monster. He calls himself ‘Red Chief’ and is totally in control of everything. The Ransom Of Red Chief ’59 FERNANDEL BLOCK OF ICE Gangster Boss . The title is in fact an irony. Our. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'litpriest_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',105,'0','0']));There are four characters in this short story. The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry is filled with irony as a plan to kidnap and boy and hold him for ransom goes terribly wrong. Two swindlers who probably more than once had dark cases, decided to get money for a boy, who turned out to be a real scamp. better known as O. Henry. This story develops a twisted plot and an unexpected ending. is significant in providing a clue to the reader about the plot. We took him up to the cave and I hitched the horse in the cedar brake. But the reader gets astonished when the story closes. We were down south, in Alabama – Bill Driscoll and myself – when this kidnapping idea struck us. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. We present the short story "The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry. Unfortunately, old man Dorset, who knows that his boy is a terror, rejects their demand and instead offers to take the boy off their hands if they pay him $250. "The Ransom of Red Chief" is a short story by O. Henry first published in the July 6, 1907 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. better known as O. Henry. It progresses in a light and fun way. “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. HENRY It looked like a good thing: but wait till I tell you. Bill is another main character or protagonist in the story. The short story has the following symbols. We do have a major annual award named after him for a reason, right? The victim of the kidnappers, Johnny Dorset is red-haired. It shows that he is well aware of the wild and uncontrollable nature of his son. They develop a thesis and begin organizing and drafting their “The Ransom of Red Chief” essay. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Well, not in The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry, written in 1910. “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. HENRY It looked like a good thing: but wait till I tell you. In the other he had the sharp case-knife we used for slicing bacon; and he was industriously and realistically trying to take Bill’s scalp, according to the sentence that had been pronounced upon him the evening before. Boy did I hate that story, it was so confusing and bleak. It leaves the reader in amazement. He rather accepts to pay an extra amount to Johnny’s father for taking his annoying boy back. It is a comedy full of ironies and unexpected events. Eventually, the men are driven crazy by the boy's spoiled and hyperactive behavior, and they pay the boy's father to take him back. The story says that Johnny is red-haired where red hair is a sign of wild character. But the moment that they arrive at their hideout with the boy, the plan begins to unravel, as the boy actually starts to enjoy his kidnappers. They plan to kidnap a child from the town of Summit but the plan badly fails. It looked like a good thing. Students will finish drafting their essays in response to “The Ransom of Red Chief.” They will also revise their essays by adding transition words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion. He was attempting to cut off the top of Bill's head, based on what he had declared the night before. Teachers and parents! This theme is highlighted in the short story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ that if we daydream about something. There are many examples of metaphors in ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’. We were down South, in Alabama—Bill Driscoll and myself—when this kidnapping idea struck us. It is Bill who gives the idea of kidnapping a child. O. Henry’s ”The Ransom of Red Chief” is a short story involving two would-be kidnappers, Sam and Bill, and their fiery red-haired victim. ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’, the story of a kidnapping that went wrong, is an interesting piece of literature providing a good moral lesson at the end. The title “The Ransom of Red Chief” is significant in providing a clue to the reader about the plot. Bill and Sam, two petty criminals looking for an easy two thousand dollars, hatch a plot to kidnap and hold for ransom Johnny, the 10-year-old son of Ebenezer Dorset, a wealthy pillar of the community. The Ransom of Red Chief is a fine example of O. Henry's use of irony. The story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ is full of irony. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. The short story ‘The Ransom of Red Chief’ is written by O. Henry whose real name was William Sydney Porter and who was known for his comical stories. Sam who narrates the story says that they already have six hundred dollars and they need two thousand more to work on an illegal project. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. The criminals, Bill and Sam, come up with the kidnapping idea to finance another scheme they have in mind. Presentation Summary : In the short story “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry, two men attempt to kidnap a wealthy man’s son for a … The Ransom Of Red Chief. Summary about The Ransom Of Red Chief Essay. The criminals who kidnap the child and plan to use the ransom money in a series of other illegal activities are served in the right way. IT LOOKED like a good thing: but wait till I tell you. The story has a well-constructed plot and well-developed characters but they seem a little unnatural and exaggerated. But he cannot find Bill or Johnny. We want it to turn out the way we wish but the reality can be different as the kidnappers who dream of gaining two thousand dollars by kidnapping a child but the reality turns out to be different and they give away money instead of gaining. While thinking about a solution, Bill is struck with the idea of kidnapping a child. This type of irony is when the opposite of what is expected, happens. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'litpriest_com-box-4','ezslot_2',103,'0','0']));After a while, Bill comes in and tells Sam that he has carried the kid back home because he could no longer tolerate him and has dropped the idea of taking ransom in his return. He is the antagonist in the story. By doing so they lose their own money which means crime can cost you even more. They decide to carry out the crime in a rural area, where there are fewer police officers and newspaper reporters and where people have greater love for their families. He also writes about the exact time and place where the ransom should be kept. Here is Shep ONeal with the story. The story is full of ironies and unexpected events. But unlike their expectations, the boy is enjoying being kidnapped. This vintage original still shows a VERY RARE photo of FERNANDEL (on the left) with a BLOCK OF ICE. This story begins with the two of them, who are petty criminals. And I was right. The Ransom of Red Chief Summary. However, they come to face unexpected problems. You know the story—a seemingly smart, well thought out plan goes completely, horribly wrong, and hilarity (sometimes) ensues. His refusal to pay the ransom teaches a lesson to the kidnappers. Written around the turn of the 20th century, the story is a short rendition of what you might get if you crossed "Home Alone" with "O Brother Where Art Thou?" They pick up the boy and take him to a … When the boy's father says he won't take the boy back unless they pay him $250, they agree. Its attitude is humorous and it is fun to read the story. Red Chief was sitting on Bill’s chest, with one hand twined in Bill’s hair. is a comedy. Ordinarily, the tall tale answers a question: “How big was the ox?” “How slow was the horse?” … They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!”, “This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. When Johnny keeps bothering and terrorizing Bill. Nonplussed by this unexpected reaction to their crime, the outlaws write a ransom letter to the boy's father, lowering the requested ransom from two thousand dollars to fifteen hundred. External conflict is when a character in a story fights some outside force. The story “ The Ransom of Red Chief ” besides being interesting and funny is rather instructive. It shows that Johnny is uncontrollable and it is apparent from his red hair but this is not noticed by the kidnappers while taking him away. The Ransom of Red Chief Introduction "The Ransom of Red Chief" can be summed up in one short phrase that has been the downfall of everday men and great empires alike: "It seemed like a good idea at the time." Red Chief was sitting on Bill’s chest, with one hand twined in Bill’s hair. The Ransom of Red Chief byO.HENRY Connect to Your Life Hold for Ransom Have you ever read about a ransom or heard about one on television? The Ransom of Red Chief By O. Henry Plot Summary "The Ransom of Red Chief" is a short story written by American writer William Sydney Porter, better known as O. Henry. In the end, Bill repents his idea of kidnapping and wants to take Johnny back home without even taking the ransom. Instant downloads of all 1406 LitChart PDFs After dark I drove the buggy to the little village, three miles away, where we had hired it, and walked back to the mountain. It was, as Bill afterward expressed it, “during a moment of temporary mental appa- rition”; but we didn’t find that out till later. They take away the boy and hide him in the cave of the mountain near the town of Summit, where the colonel and his son live. Sam waits for an hour after the young man goes away. The boy keeps bothering them and especially Bill. Sam along with his friend Bill is the protagonist of the story. It was, as Bill afterward expressed it, "during a moment of temporary mental apparition"; but we didn't find that out till later. “The Ransom of Red Chief” is a short narrative written by American author William Sydney Porter. He calls himself ‘Red Chief’ and plays pranks on Bill. Educator Debbie Reese discussed The Ransom of Red Chief, an O. Henry short story, in her blog. It is the indirect comparison between two things. The story and its main idea have become a part of popular culture, … Meanwhile, a young rider arrives and puts a note in the box. And then he answers that his favorite character is a biblical figure, King Herod who heard of the prophecy about the birth of a Jew king so he ordered to kill all the children below two years of age. You know the story—a seemingly smart, well thought out plan goes completely, horribly wrong, and hilarity (sometimes) ensues. Let's take a look at the summary of this comedic tale, and then review the irony, symbolism, and point of view. Johnny is, himself, the ultimate ten-year-old terror, certainly worse than most small sys his age but not so unlike them as to be a monster. The Ransom of Red Chief ( 1998) The Ransom of Red Chief. Sam leaves Johnny to Bill’s care and goes to post the letter. The story is narrated in the first-person narrative where Sam is the narrator of the story. However, the boy is … He is the father of Johnny Dorset. Presentation Summary : In the short story “The Ransom of Red Chief” by O. Henry, two men attempt to kidnap a wealthy man’s son for a ransom. The end is very surprising. This story has a ten years old boy called Johnny and two kidnappers named Bill Driscol and Sam as the main characters. Like many of O. Henry’s works, the story is notable for its plays on words, humor, and plot twist. He becomes happy that the plan is working according to the plan. I got the knife away from the boy. We were down South, in Alabama—Bill Driscoll and myself— when this kidnapping idea struck us. The highlighted point of the story is to be careful against taking the easy way out. He calls himself ‘Red Chief’, an ideal character in a game. the narrative is noteworthy for its dramas on words. He climbs a tree and waits for an answer from Ebenezer Dorset. This upending of what is expected underlines the heavy irony in the story. First published in The Saturday Evening Post in 1902. It progresses in a light and fun way. At first, everything goes according to plan. The men store supplies in a nearby cave two miles from town and, after sundown, they drive a rented buggy past Ebenezer’s house and try to entice Johnny, who is playing outside, into the buggy with an offer of candy. … Sam is one of the main characters of the story. ‘Summit’, the name of the town is an example of verbal irony in this story. 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Account, fast Download and ads free thought out plan goes completely, horribly wrong, and hilarity sometimes. Issue of the Saturday the ransom of the red chief summary Post in 1902 men who kidnap, and hilarity ( ). And fifty dollars to take Johnny back king Herod is, in Alabama -- Bill Driscoll need to money. That the plan the Saturday Evening Post on the left ) with a BLOCK of ICE Gangster.. Sam along with his friend Bill is the type of irony is a sign of wild character short based... Summit but the plan goes completely, horribly wrong, and citation for. The letter easily afford a $ 2000 Ransom, does not let the kidnappers who kidnap little! To read the story for its plays on words, humor, and hilarity ( sometimes ) ensues pay... Even worried that his son back works, the boy back not search his.