Literary Terms
a word that has the same meaning as another word (or nearly the same meaning).
synonym
The highest point of tension and drama, where the protagonist confronts the main conflict head-on.
the climax
characters that remain essentially the same throughout the story. They don't learn or grow from their experiences.
static characters
the protagonist of the story
Rainsford
the antagonist of the story
General Zaroff
the emotional or cultural associations that a word carries beyond its basic meaning.
connotation
The conflict is resolved, loose ends are tied up, and the story starts to wind down.
falling action
have only one or two personality traits and are relatively predictable
flat characters
What kinds of heads can you infer are featured in Zaroff's "new collection" in the library?
human heads
Name a flat character in the story.
Ivan - All we know about him is that he is huge and deaf/dumb.
Whitney - All we know about him is that he sympathizes with prey.
the literal, dictionary definition of a word
denotation
The story reaches its conclusion, leaving the reader with a sense of finality and closure.
conclusion
more complex and multifaceted characters that have multiple traits, both positive and negative, and may even surprise the reader with their actions or choices.
round characters
In the beginning of the story, how does Rainsford end up in the water?
He drops his tobacco pipe and tries to catch it, but he falls overboard.
How does Zaroff acquire new men to hunt on the island?
the way an author or an actor describes or shows what a character is like.
characterization
The protagonist faces escalating challenges and obstacles, building tension and anticipation.
rising action
characters who undergo significant change or development as the story progresses.
dynamic characters
What is the most dangerous game?
1. Humans are the most dangerous game to hunt
2. The most dangerous game to play is hunting humans
How does Rainsford finally fool Zaroff?
Jumps into the ocean so Zaroff will assume he’s drowned or died on the rocks
This is the overall feeling or atmosphere created by a literary work. It's like the emotional tone the author sets for the reader.
mood
Introduces the setting, characters, and main conflict.
exposition
allows the reader to infer the character's personality based on their actions, speech, thoughts, relationships with others, and even their physical appearance.
indirect characterization
Where is Rainsford hiding at the end of the story?
In Zaroff's room behind the curtains
How does the reader know that Rainsford "won"?
Zaroff says the loser will be fed to the dogs and the winner will sleep in this excellent bed. Then Rainsford sleeps in that bed that night.