29 pages • 58 minutes read
O. HenryThe Ransom of Red Chief
Fiction | Short Story | YA | Published in 1907A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Red Hair
Red is often associated with evil, violence, and hell, and the idea that people with red hair are feisty or meanspirited is a cliché. In “The Ransom of Red Chief,” Johnny is described as having “red hair” that is “the colour of the magazine you buy at the news-stand when you want to catch a train” (71). Johnny’s red hair, which Sam notes before the kidnapping, serves as a warning signal that foreshadows Johnny’s violent tendencies. It becomes a symbol of Johnny’s aggressive behavior, and it supports the theme of Cruelty and Violence.
The symbol of the red hair is also encompassed in the self-assumed title of “Red Chief” that Johnny uses while first playing with his kidnappers. He calls himself Red Chief, in part, because of his red hair. It is when he is pretending that he is Red Chief that he conducts the worst of his violent acts against Bill.
O. Henry’s use of red hair as a symbol of evil or corruption extends beyond “The Ransom of Red Chief” and into other stories, such as “The Guilty Party.”
Money
Money is a direct symbol that reflects the theme of Morality and Greed. Ebenezer Dorset is discussed only in terms of his relationship with money. He is portrayed as a rich man who takes advantage of vulnerable people, but he is also one to give away money when it suits his interests, such as in contributing to the collection plate to promote a good reputation. He refuses to part with any money to get his child back and, in fact, asks for money before he will agree to the return of his son.
Money also acts as a symbol of freedom. Sam and Bill feel that, if they get the money they are seeking, they will be free to leave the area and to pursue another money-making endeavor. The men are not violent criminals, which is depicted in their mild behavior toward Johnny. Instead, the men are characterized as desperately seeking the freedom that money affords.
Summit
Summit is symbolic of small-town values and lifestyles. Despite the connotations of its name, the town is ironically “flat.” The men target Summit because they think the people will adhere to their stereotypical assumptions. Sam notes that rural communities are known for their “philoprogenitiveness,” and he assumes that Dorset spoils his son. They also select Summit because it does not have the same police force or media coverage.
Summit does hold true to Sam’s assumptions—the townspeople are upset when they hear Johnny is missing, and there are no authorities searching for the child. Dorset, however, is a social outsider in the community. He does not fit within the small-town symbolism of Summit. In his proposal, Dorset notes that the men “had better come at night, for the neighbours believe [Johnny] is lost, and I couldn’t be responsible for what they would do to anybody they saw bringing him back” (77). Dorset, similar to Sam and Bill, sees Summit as a stereotypical small town. While the town does spread word of their discontent at the disappearance of Johnny, they do not search for the boy. The townspeople dislike Dorset, who is a known “forecloser,” and it can be inferred that, although they gossip about their anger, they do not miss the violent child.
“Old Dorset”
Ebenezer Dorset’s character acts as a symbol of the corruptive power of wealth. “Old Dorset,” as Sam repeatedly refers to him, has become consumed with his wealth. Rather than working to help his fellow townspeople when they struggle to afford their mortgages, he forecloses on them. This impacts his relationship with the people of Summit. When the people of the town hear that Johnny is missing, they gossip about the event, but they do not search for the boy. They have no interest in helping a man who has done so much to hurt them.
Dorset also neglects his child’s well-being. He is so corrupted by wealth that he puts his son’s life in jeopardy. Through Dorset’s character, O. Henry is criticizing wealth and alluding to its dangers. He suggests that this corruption is such a strong force that it can overpower both parental instincts and basic morality.
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