The Ransom of Red Chief
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Themes
All Themes Crime, Violence, and Empathy Imagination and Play Justice Outsiders
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Sam Johnny Bill Driscoll Ebenezer Dorset
Symbols
All Symbols Letters
Literary Devices
All Literary Devices Allusions Genre Hyperbole Irony Metaphors Mood Setting Similes Situational Irony Style Tone
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The Ransom of Red Chief

by

O. Henry

The Ransom of Red Chief Symbols

Letters

Letters—the medium through which Sam communicates his ransom demands to Ebenezer—represent the power conferred on people by class and education. Letters are associated with educated people (people who are well-educated are even called “lettered”…

read analysis of Letters

Letters Symbol Icon
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