The Ransom of Red Chief

1
"The Ransom of Red Chief"
Introduction to the Author O. Henry Please write
the title above in your notes.
2
Before Being a Writer O Henry

• decided to quit school at age 15
• drugstore clerk
• ranch hand
• bank clerk
• newspaper man
• How can someone who quits school at age 15 become
  a writer? How do you think he learned how to
  write?

3
Heading Off to Jail

• Yes! This is true!
• Embezzled money from the bank where he held a job
• Served for three years
• Question Make an inference about O. Henry from
  the information above.

4
First Stories

• Written while in jail
• Question Why is jail a good setting for
  writing?

5
Who REALLY Wrote this Story??

• Born in 1862 in Greensboro, North Carolina..
• as William Sidney Porter
• Question Why doesnt O. Henry use his surname
  for his short stories? Make an inference.

6
Where is his name from?

• Served as a prison drug clerk
• Qualified for the job since he presumably had
  experience in his uncles pharmacy
• Saw famous pharmacist in U.S. Dispensatory
• Thought that he derived pen name from
  Etienne-Ossian Henry

7
What is he known for?

• Surprise Endings
• Ironic Twists
• Observations of Everyday Life
• Ordinary People
• 250 Stories
• Question What can you infer that the story The
  Ransom of Red Chief might involve from the title
  of the story and what you have learned about the
  author O. Henry? Make predictions.

8
Appreciating his Work

• Passed away in 1910
• O. Henry Memorial Award-Best Short Story
  published in American Magazine
• Question How can learning about an author
  assist you in appreciating his or her works? How
  can learning about an author help you better
  understand the story?