Why does the narrator and the other man in the short story “Why, You Reckon?” don’t holding Edward for ransom? What was their reason? Is their motivation for not holding Edward for ransom internal or external?

Answer 1

In the short story "Why, You Reckon?" by Langston Hughes, the characters have various reasons for not holding Edward for ransom.

The primary reason is that the narrator and the other man do not believe they would succeed in getting a substantial ransom for Edward. They consider themselves amateurs in the kidnapping business and doubt their ability to execute it successfully. They fear that if they try to hold Edward for ransom, the authorities would catch them before they could collect any money. Hence, their motivation for not holding Edward for ransom is mainly external.

Furthermore, the narrator mentions that Edward's father is a poor tenant farmer who would not be able to afford a large ransom. They reason that even if they managed to kidnap Edward, his father would not have the means to pay them. This consideration lowers their motivation further.

Additionally, there is a sense of empathy and benevolence displayed by the characters. They observe Edward and note his vulnerable state while his mother is sick, leading them to sympathize with him. This internal motivation, driven by their humanity, further dissuades them from exploiting Edward's situation.

Overall, the characters' motivation for not holding Edward for ransom is a combination of external factors, such as the likelihood of being caught and the limited financial resources of Edward's father, as well as their own internal compassion and empathy towards the helpless child.