Power And Money In The Ransom Of Red Chief
Today I am going to talk to you all about the topics of Power and Money. A deep hunger for both Power and Money, along with mismanagement once you have them, can sometimes lead to disastrous results. Both of these aspects of one’s life are very important, and sometimes a necessity to exist. Let’s find out about the effects of lots of money and the power of business. Let’s go back to the turn of the last century when American businesses started to develop and take shape. 1920’s was seen as a time of lots of fun and entertainment; a time to make lots and lots of money as many businesses were starting up. This was the time where a lot of people saw an opportunity to invest their money in these companies. They bought stocks in large corporations.
…show more content…
In the short story “The Ransom of Red Chief,” by O. Henry, Sam and Bill kidnapped an eight-year old boy and kept him in a cave to make some money. The two men decide to write a letter asking for $2,000 in return of the boy. At first, the men controlled the boy and told him what to do. But after the boy got comfortable at the cave, he started controlling what goes on around him. Sam and Bill are unable to control the boy, called Red Chief, who wouldn’t leave them alone. “Red Chief was sitting on Bill’s chest, with one hand twined in Bill’s hair. In the other he had the harp case-knife we used for slicing bacon; and he was industriously and realistically trying to take Bill’s scalp.” This is an example of a desperate man trying to impose power on the weak. Similar to this, in “Thank You M’am” by Langston Hughes, a desperate young man tries to snatch a purse from Mrs. Washington to satisfy his hunger for a new pair of suede shoes. He did not seem to know the consequences of his actions. However, Mrs. Washington helps him out. "Well, you didn’t have to snatch my pocketbook to get some suede shoes," said Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. "You could of asked me." This is another case of a desperate man trying to make a quick return in difficult
In the short story “The Ransom of Red Chief,” by O. Henry, Sam and Bill kidnapped an eight-year old boy and kept him in a cave to make some money. The two men decide to write a letter asking for $2,000 in return of the boy. At first, the men controlled the boy and told him what to do. But after the boy got comfortable at the cave, he started controlling what goes on around him. Sam and Bill are unable to control the boy, called Red Chief, who wouldn’t leave them alone. “Red Chief was sitting on Bill’s chest, with one hand twined in Bill’s hair. In the other he had the harp case-knife we used for slicing bacon; and he was industriously and realistically trying to take Bill’s scalp.” This is an example of a desperate man trying to impose power on the weak. Similar to this, in “Thank You M’am” by Langston Hughes, a desperate young man tries to snatch a purse from Mrs. Washington to satisfy his hunger for a new pair of suede shoes. He did not seem to know the consequences of his actions. However, Mrs. Washington helps him out. "Well, you didn’t have to snatch my pocketbook to get some suede shoes," said Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones. "You could of asked me." This is another case of a desperate man trying to make a quick return in difficult