How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
Family ties are strong in semirural communities, says we; therefore, and for other reasons, a kidnapping project ought to do better there than in the radius of newspapers that send reporters out in plain clothes to stir up talk about such things. (3)
Sam and Bill's first mistake is the assumption that the only thing they have to fear from their little endeavor is the townsfolk. As we soon discover, Johnny is far from your average kid.
Quote #2
That boy put up a fight like a welterweight cinnamon bear (11)
This should have been the first warning that Johnny might be a more formidable target than they expected. A 10-year old, forty-pound kid who can fight with the voracity of a 140-pound bear? Yeah, that's definitely not normal.
Quote #3
"I like this fine. I never camped out before . . ." (17)
Throughout the story it seems that Johnny simply assumes he's on a camping trip, unaware of any malfeasance concerning his predicament. His blissful ignorance reminds us he's just a kid, and makes Bill and Sam's job a little tougher than they expected.
Quote #4
"All right!" says he. "That'll be fine. I never had such fun in all my life." (22)
Johnny again asserts how much fun he is having on the assumption that he is just out camping with complete strangers as some sort of fun excursion. We can't help but admire Johnny's ability to keep on the sunny side of life… if only it were so easy.
Quote #5
Red Chief was sitting on Bill's chest, with one hand twined in Bill's hair. In the other he had the sharp jackknife we used for slicing bacon, and he was industriously and realistically trying to take Bill's scalp, according to the sentence that had been pronounced upon him the evening before. (25)
What could a ten-year-old possibly do that we can't handle? Poor Sam and Bill are so clearly outmatched by this kid.
Quote #6
"A rowdy kid like that is just the kind that parents dote on." (30)
This massive assumption is why Sam and Bill will ultimately fail. Sam is so sure that Johnny will be missed that he completely overlooks the thought that Old Dorset might know something that they don't.
Quote #7
There was a sylvan attitude of sleepiness pervading that section of the external outward surface of Alabama that lay exposed to view. "Perhaps," says I to myself, "it has not yet been discovered that the wolves have borne away the tender lambkin from the fold. Heaven help the wolves!" (31)
Sam doesn't think anything of the fact that no one is out scouring the countryside for this boy—if anything, maybe Johnny's absence has made things more peaceful than usual. Either way, people have probably noticed that Johnny is gone, but nobody seems to be missing the kid. Hmmm… we wonder why.
Quote #8
There don't seem to be much excitement around Summit on account of his disappearance; but maybe they haven't realized yet that he's gone. His folks may think he's spending the night with Aunt Jane or one of the neighbors. Anyhow, he'll be missed today. (37)
Even we aren't fully aware of what to expect next. We are operating on the same false assumptions that Sam is—that of course Johnny's father will rise to the occasion once he discovers that the boy is missing.
Quote #9
"Now, you come in and make friends with him and say you are sorry for hurting him, or home you go, at once." (46)
Sam really believes that he will convince Johnny to start behaving, or at least convince the boy from causing Bill any further physical harm. It's also a tad ironic that the kidnappers have to threaten their victim with being sent home as punishment.
Quote #10
These terms are final, and if you do not accede to them, no further communication will be attempted. (55)
This erroneous stand of power is about to be rebuffed in the most brilliant manner by Old Dorset. It is after this point that all assumptions are laid to rest thanks to the counter offer that they receive in the tree. If you make a threat and fail to deliver on it, you have forfeited your position of power. These boys just did exactly that.