Playing Too Roughly (Motif)
Throughout the story, Johnny seems oblivious to the amount of harm he inflicts on others while playing. In his first appearance in the story, Johnny throws rocks at a kitten and hits Bill between the eyes with a chunk of brick. The motif of Johnny playing too roughly arises repeatedly through the story as Johnny nearly removes Bill's scalp with a knife, puts a hot potato down Bill's back, slings a rock at Bill's head, and rides Bill for miles before making him eat sand. With this motif, O. Henry shows how Johnny unintentionally gets the better of his kidnappers by not understanding the repercussions of his violent style of playing.
Red Hair (Symbol)
Johnny Dorset's red hair is a symbol of his temperamental disposition and fiery spirit, as red hair has long been associated in popular culture with a short temper and devilishness. In Johnny's case, the stereotype proves accurate, as he exhibits rambunctiousness, cruelty, and vengefulness.
King Herod (Symbol)
After Johnny hits Bill in the head with a rock flung by a slingshot, Bill asks Sam if he knows who his favorite Biblical character is, and then names King Herod—an allusion that stands as a symbol for Bill’s increasing frustration with Johnny. Though the story is disputed by historians, Herod infamously ordered the slaughter of all children under two when he learned of a prophecy that foretold the birth of a future King of the Jews. By evoking Herod's name, Bill is using a coded way of speaking to tell Sam that he has reached the point of fantasizing about killing Johnny.
