CHOOSE ONE OF THE CASES BELOW I’m leaving it open so the writer could choose what’s best for them
CASE 1 – Sam and Bill vs. Johnny Dorset (aka) Red Chief
Sam and Bill are suing Red Chief for assault and battery
CASE 2 – Sam and Bill vs. Ebenezer Dorset
Sam and Bill are suing Ebenezer Dorset for extortion.
Make believe you are the lead attorney.
You can only use material that comes from the story.
You cannot add new information.
You must use the information from the story as your evidence.
Answer these questions :
You may have to read every word of the story several times looking for details to help your case. You may be amazed at what you missed on your first reading.
Consider some of the following as you work up your case. How do different parts of this story lead you in one direction or another as far as the assignment goes?
___Did the two men select their victim?
___Was the child forcibly abducted?
___Did the boy put up a fight?
___Was the boy scared of the two men?
___Did Sam ask if the boy wanted to go home after supper?
___Did Red Chief try to run away?
___Did Red Chief have use of a weapon?
___Who is terrifying whom?
___Did the men bargain with Red Chief about his going home?
___Did the men send a ransom note?
___Was the boy held against his will?
___Did Red Chief have freedom of movement?
___Did Bill let the boy go?
___Did Bill show Red Chief the road back to Summit?
___Did Red Chief return to the men’s camp?
___Did Sam have a plan to collect ransom?
___What does the father counter propose?
___Is the father guilty of extortion or blackmail? Explain.
___Who is the real victim?
___Has the father expressed an implicit threat of violence to cause harm?
___Did the two men agree to the father’s deal? Is that extortion?
https://americanliterature.com/author/o-henry/short-story/the-ransom-of-red-chief