This makes the story's message much clearer and more direct-it hits us that much harder. It works well because it makes us comfortable-Henry's tone is not talking above anyone's head, and the points he makes aren't difficult to grasp. The story adopted a folksy, charming voice that speaks to a general 'just plain folks' part of the population, but with real teeth under its surface. 'The Ransom of Red Chief' is a great example of satire for the everyday man.

No fear of lynch mobs, no self-righteous townsfolk with tracking dogs, not even a pesky sheriff to show up and say 'put that kid back!' What could go wrong, right? The boys figure that the casual abduction of the busy rich man's son will go uncontested. They chose the town since the locals are 'as undeleterious and self-satisfied a class of peasantry as ever clustered around a Maypole' (2). They confidently saunter into the town of Summit with the intention of abducting a rich man's kid for a quick ransom. Fields once said, 'Never work with animals or children.' These boys are the personification of that quote. In the story, two small-time, two-bit criminals-Sam and Bill-whip up a wicked plot to kidnap a kid to rustle up an extra couple thousand dollars. Henry was on to this when he wrote 'The Ransom of Red Chief' in 1907. We see this story play out all the time, whether it's dumb criminals on TV, embarrassing business decisions, or hilarious GIFs, sometimes there's nothing better than chuckling at others' short-sighted expense.

You know the story-a seemingly smart, well thought out plan goes completely, horribly wrong, and hilarity (sometimes) ensues. '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 short story