Final answer:
The tone of 'The Ransom of Red Chief' is humorously ironic, and words and phrases in the narrative demonstrate this. O. Henry connects with readers through the shared experiences of 20th-century American life, while also presenting unexpected comedic twists. The story's tone and language choices are well suited to its purpose and audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tone of The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry is best described as humorously ironic and somewhat sardonic. There are various words, phrases, and snippets of dialogue throughout the story that illustrate this tone. For instance, the kidnappers expect to make easy money from their criminal endeavor but soon find the tables turned as the boy they kidnap becomes more of a terror to them than they are to him. The story's events are presented with a light-hearted, comical style that often undercuts the potential seriousness of the situation. The author employs phrases like "the child was a terror" and describes the boy's antics in a way that makes the reader sympathize with the kidnappers' plight.
Regarding culture and the common ground between the author and the readers, O. Henry shared with his audience the experiences and challenges of early 20th-century American life. However, the story also pokes fun at the characters' expectations and realities, creating a slight conflict between the readers' anticipation of a typical crime story and the humorous spin the author provides. Through this comedic lens, the reader is able to observe the cultural norms and social hypocrisies of the time.
LibreTexts is mentioned in the context of a short story by Shirley Jackson, which is a different reference unrelated to Ransom of Red Chief. However, it can be noted that Jackson's story demonstrates how authors can deviously portray an average scenario in a manner that gradually introduces shocking elements, similar to O. Henry's unexpected twists.
The use of tone, vivid details, and a strong writer's voice also connects the reader to the narrative, as seen in Hayden's respect and admiration for the subject in her own work. This technique engages the reader and builds a relationship based on shared knowledge and emotion. Likewise, the tone and language choices in O. Henry's story are well suited to the story's purpose, reflecting thought, fairness, and general comprehension of the rhetorical situation.