"The Ransom of Red Chief" is a straightforward title for a straightforward narrative. Red Chief is the name of Johnny's first alter-ego, and indicative of the mess that Sam and Bill are about to get themselves mixed up in. The title also fills us with curiosity—Who is Red Chief? Why would someone want to kidnap an Indian?—and plays into the story's irony when we find out it's a hell-raising little kid instead of a fearsome Native American warrior. (Though we suspect that Sam and Bill would prefer the latter.) The "ransom" is quite ironic too, since a ransom is ultimately paid, though the recipient is the would-be victim's father—a 180-degree turn from what we might expect. Thus does the title inform us of the plot, while displaying (in retrospect) the story's overall tone and intent.