Situational Irony In O. Henry's The Ransom Of Red Chief

Words: 610
Pages: 3

Everyone can relate to dealing with the behaviors of mischievous children. Young children are infamous for performing obnoxious acts, much to the annoyance of their older counterparts who must deal with them. In the short story “The Ransom of Red Chief” O. Henry utilizes the comedic elements of situational irony and hyperbole to convey the struggle of dealing with mischievous children in a humorous manner. First, O. Henry demonstrates the difficulty Johnny caused the kidnappers using situational irony. In one such occasion, the narrator is said to have waken up to see that the boy “had the sharp case-knife we used for slicing bacon; and he was industriously and realistically trying to take Bill’s scalp” (3). This section creates humorous