Story Comprehension 1
What is the setting of the story?
Ship-Trap Island in the Caribbean Sea
What is the inciting force of the story?
Rainsford falls off the yacht.
At the beginning of the story, what does the conversation between Rainsford and Whitney reveal to readers?
It shows readers Rainsford's beliefs about hunting animals.
Why does Zaroff hunt humans?
Humans have courage, cunning, and the ability to reason.
What is the name of the protagonist? Antagonist?
protagonist: Sanger Rainsford
antagonist: General Zaroff
Rainsford runs for his life as Zaroff hunts him.
What type of conflict is this?
external: person vs. person
What is the climax of the story?
Rainsford appears in General Zaroff's bedroom ready to fight.
How does Rainsford come to be on the island?
He falls off the yacht when he drops his pipe.
Does reason or instinct win in this story?
Reason wins in the end as Rainsford is able to defeat Zaroff using his wits (setting traps) and reasoning that jumping off the cliff (which would go against instinct) would give him a better shot at survival.
How could Zaroff's personality best be described?
He is a sophisticated but sadistic hunter.
Why is the setting important in the story?
Answers will vary. Possible answers: It takes place on an isolated island, which means that Zaroff can do whatever he wants without being discovered. Also, the jungle setting gives Zaroff an advantage over others since he knows the layout of the island.
What is the resolution of the story?
Rainsford kills General Zaroff and sleeps in his bed.
Zaroff says he doesn't force the humans to play his fame. Why do they choose to participate?
Their other option is to go up against Ivan, which would surely result in death.
"[Rainsford] lifted the knocker, and it creaked up stiffly as if it had never before been used."
What point of view does this show?
third person
How does Rainsford change by the end of the story?
He now has empathy for the animals he has killed since he knows what it's like to be hunted.
Rainsford swims for his life to shore.
What type of conflict is this?
external: person vs. nature
Identify an example of foreshadowing in the story.
Answers will vary. Possible answers: Whitney talks about the island in a spooky and mysterious way. Rainsford sees a trampled area where a large creature was killed.
What happens during the first day of the hunt?
General Zaroff knows Rainsford is in the tree, but he smirks, blows smoke, and let's him go.
What is the meaning of the title "The Most Dangerous Game"?
The title has two meanings. One meaning indicates that humans themselves are dangerous. The other meaning suggests that the game of hunting humans is dangerous.
Reread page 66 where Zaroff is introduced. Is direct characterization or indirect characterization used? (Look up the terms if you need to.)
direct characterization
Rainsford faces his fear of being caught.
What type of conflict is this?
internal: person vs. self
Zaroff believes that some lives are more valuable than others. What theme does this idea support?
This supports the theme of survival of the fittest. Those who are strong will survive; those who are weak will die.