Vocabulary
What is Ransom
a price or payment demanded in return for the release of property or a person
What is irony
when events or words are the opposite of what is expected
Who are the criminals
Bill and Sam
What are some examples of exposition
Two con men, Sam and Bill, arrive in the small town of Summit, Alabama. They need $2,000 to pull off a land scheme in Illinois .They decide to kidnap the son of a wealthy businessman, Ebeneezer Dorset. The victim is 10-year-old Johnny Dorset, a red-haired boy
What is Collaborate
to work together on a project
What is a role reversal in The Random of Red Chief
The kidnappers become the victims of their own crime, The victims parents got paid money for their son back rather that paying for him.
Who is the victim
Johnny
What are some examples of rising action
Sam and Bill successfully kidnap Johnny and take him to a cave hideout
- Johnny immediately embraces the adventure, calling himself "Red Chief"
- He torments Bill with war games, demands stories, and refuses to go home
- The kidnappers write a ransom note demanding $1,500
- Johnny's behavior becomes increasingly wild and exhausting
What is Comply
to act according to a command, request, or order
What is a consequence of crime
Criminal schemes can backfire in unexpected ways, Sometimes the punishment doesn't fit the crime in the way criminals expect, Bad decisions lead to worse situations
Who is red chief
Johnny
What is an example for climax
- Bill reaches his breaking point and threatens to leave
- Sam receives a counter-offer letter from Ebenezer Dorset
- Instead of paying ransom, Dorset demands the kidnappers pay HIM $250 to take Johnny back
What is Diatribe
condemnation; bitter, abusive criticism
What is an example of childhood vs adult hood
Johnny's boundless energy overwhelms the adults, Children's imagination and play can be more powerful than adult schemes, Adults underestimate the challenges of dealing with difficult children
Who is johnny's dad
Ebeneezer Dorset
What is an example of falling action
Sam and Bill realize they're trapped by Johnny's behavior
- They desperately agree to Dorset's terms
- They scrape together the $250 payment
What is surreptitiously
In a sneaky way, secretly
What is an example of Small town life
Summit represents a place where everyone knows everyone, The father's calm response suggests he knows his son's reputation, Small communities can be tougher than criminals expect
Who is the narrator
Sam
What is an example of resolution
The men pay Dorset and return Johnny
- They flee town as fast as possible, with Johnny chasing after them