Use Of Irony In Ransom Of Red Chief

According to an article found on childfindofamerica.org titled “Facts and Statistics on Missing Children” “It is estimated that 2300 children are kidnapped everyday in the United States”(2023). The story “Ransom of Red Chief” produced by O’Henry displays a unique use of irony between the characters which develops a sense of humor. O’Henry’s use of irony creates humor and develops the theme “consequences root from actions and decisions; abuse, ransoms, and irritation are ways the author interprets this throughout the story.

In other words, the use of irony can be portrayed through the abuse the men endure from Red Chief. For instance, when talking to Sam about what Red Chief had done, Bill reveals,” He put a red-hot boiled potato down my back, then mashed it with his foot! (Henry 4).
With this in mind, the way the roles are reversed in which the kid is

To clarify, when reading the note sent by Ebenezer, Sam recites, “ I think you are a little high in your demands…you bring Johnny home and pay me two-hundred fifty dollars and I agree to take him off your hands”(Henry 9). Ebenezer’s response letter containing a ransom contains irony because the men originally sent a ransom to Ebenezer. Evidently, Henry uniquely uses irony in the form of ransoms like to irritation.

As can be seen, the use of irony depicted through the irritation the men face creates humor and develops the theme. Furthermore, when talking to Sam about being left alone with Red Chief, Bill explains,” I never lost my nerve yet till we kidnapped that two-legged skyrocket of a kid” (Henry 5). As the men describe the unruly Red Chief it is developing the theme through the use of irritation that Bill and Sam face therefore creating humor and developing the theme of the story. O’Henry’s use of irony can clearly be seen through the different aspects of the