Short Story UnitShort Story UnitEnglish I – Mrs. Frye

““The Most Dangerous The Most Dangerous Game”Game”

by Richard Connellby Richard Connell Palpable Able to be touched; tangible

Amenity A courtesy

Condone To allow or overlook

Naïve Unsophisticated; lack of

knowledge Futile

Useless

Cosmopolite A citizen of the world

Debacle Failure

Zealous Devoted; diligent

Affable Friendly

Tangible Able to be touched

Quarry A cave-like pit

Conflict: the issue or problem in a story

Rainsford (human) vs. Caribbean Sea (nature) This conflict occurs when Rainsford falls off of the boat and

struggles to swim to shore against the battling waves of the Caribbean Sea.

Rainsford (human) vs. Zaroff (human) This conflict occurs when Rainsford and Zaroff are playing the

“game” and Rainsford is being hunted, attempting to save his own life from the crazed Zaroff.

Rainsford (human) vs. Rainsford (himself) This conflict occurs when Rainsford has to keep himself calm

and outwit Zaroff during the game, not letting his emotions get the best of him and causing him to get caught by Zaroff.

Who is the protagonist in the story? Sanger Rainsford

Who is the antagonist in the story? General Zaroff

Give an example of a metaphor in the story. “The lights of the yacht became faint and ever-

vanishing fireflies.”

Give an example of a simile in the story. “His black eyebrows and pointed military mustache

were as black as the night from which Rainsford had come.”

What is the mood of the story? Suspenseful

Who is the narrator of the story? An outsider

What point of view is the story being told from? Third person limited (only know Rainsford’s thoughts)

What is the theme of the story? Violence, cruelty and revenge

General Zaroff Russian Cossack; sophisticated language; hunter; high

cheekbones; sharply defined nose; pointed mustache; savage.

Sanger Rainsford Falls off boat; intelligent; experienced hunter; level-

headed.

Ivan Zaroff’s guard; huge; mute; waist-length beard; black uniform

Whitney Rainsford’s friend; compassionate about emotions

Neilsen Captain of the yacht

What is meant by “He lived a year in a minute”? Time flew by because it was such a suspenseful

atmosphere as Rainsford waited for Zaroff to hunt him.

What is meant by “I am still a beast at bay”? Rainsford is still going to fight Zaroff though the game

is “over.”

In which sea has Connell set Ship-Trap island? The Caribbean Sea

How is Zaroff able to finance his lifestyle? By investing in American investments

If Rainsford wins the hunt, what does Zaroff promise him? He’ll let him go and continue his hunt for jaguars

What happened to Lazarus? He sunk in quicksand and died

Where does Rainsford spend the first night of his hunt? In a tree

How many acres did Zaroff’s father have in the Crimea? Quarter of a million acres

Why does Zaroff suggest Rainsford wear moccasins? They hide footprints better

What caused Rainsford to believe Zaroff knew he was hiding in the tree? Do you think he was right? Give reasons. Because he stopped, smiled and blew smoke. Yes, he knew

but didn’t attack because he wanted a “better” hunt

How does Zaroff stock his island with “game”? He allows the rocks to wreck ships (Ship-Trap Island)

What happened to General Zaroff at the end of the story? Rainsford kills him.

Despite being hurt, Zaroff congratulates Rainsford on his “Malay-Mancatcher.” Why? Because it was well-made and unique, but he has been to

Malacca and seen them so it wasn’t new to him.

How do we know Rainsford is an exceptionally fit man? He can pull himself out of pits, build traps and run/swim long

lengths.

Ship-Trap Island MapShip-Trap Island Map

Due: Tuesday, September 6, 2011