Plot & Events
What causes Rainsford to end up stranded on Ship Trap Island?
He hears shots, leans over the ship, loses his pipe, and eventually falls into the water.
From what point of view is the story told?
Third person point of view (he, she, they...)
What is the name of the island and where is it located?
It is called Ship-Trap island and it is located off the coast of South America.
Give me an example of foreshadowing in the story.
Answers may vary. Teacher will decide.
What is a theme in a story or novel?
A theme is the lessons/messages learned from the story after reading it.
Who is the first person Rainsford meets after arriving on the island? What does this person do?
He meets Ivan, the General's assistant. Ivan opens the door and points a gun at Rainsford's chest.
DAILY DOUBLE
Who can be considered the antagonist of the story? Who is the antagonist?
protagonist = Rainsford
antagonist = General Zaroff
He gives them a 3 hour head start. He gives them tips and tricks about things to avoid, like Death Swamp.
What is the climax of the story? When does it happen? Be specific.
The climax occurs at the end of the story, when Rainsford surprises Zaroff in his bedroom and challenges him to a duel/fight, eventually killing him.
DAILY DOUBLE
What word does General Zaroff use to describe himself and Ivan in the beginning of the story that makes sense later on?
He describes them both as "savages".
How long must a hunted person survive to “win” Zaroff’s game? And what does Zaroff offer them if the win?
The person being hunted must survive 3 days. He offers them his ship back to the mainland if they win.
Why does the General's background explain why he likes to hunt so much?
He has been hunting since he was 5, it was all his father ever taught him since he was young. His whole life has been one long hunt.
How does Rainsford try to trick the general? What are the 3 tricks he uses?
At first, he tries to confuse Zaroff by creating random paths to mislead him. Later, he creates 3 hunting traps to try to catch Zaroff. They are:
-Malay man-catcher
-Burmese Tiger Pit
-Ugandan knife trick
DAILY DOUBLE
What is the main conflict of the story? Explain. What type of conflict is it? Be specific.
The main conflict in the story is Rainsford trying to survive the island and Zaroff hunting him. It is an external conflict, man vs. man.
Why is “The Most Dangerous Game” a fitting title for this story? What kind of literary device is the word "game" they way they use it in the story?
It is a fitting title because it is about the hunt for the most dangerous game in the world. humans. In the title and story, they use the word game as a pun because it has 2 meanings.
What does Zaroff do when he wants more “game” to hunt? How does he get more "huntees"?
There are two ways:
1. Sometimes luck and bad weather bring people on the island.
2. Other times he uses the lighthouse to trick the ships into crashing on his island.
Why does Zaroff hunt humans? Explain his reasoning.
He hunts humans because he has already hunted all the animals he can in the world. He is so bored of hunting animals that he catches way too easily, so he is looking for a challenge. Humans can think more than animals, which makes it more exciting for him.
What do the lights Zaroff places along the shore symbolize? What does this show you about Zaroff's personality? Explain.
They signify the trap he uses to lure people on his island whenever he runs out of luck. He tricks people into thinking they have safe passageway, but instead they crash their ships on the rocks. This shows Zaroff as a cunning and manipulative character.
Find an example of a simile or metaphor in the story. Explain what two things it is comparing.
Answers may vary. Teacher will decide.
The story explores the moral implications of hunting for sport. Explain what this means in your own words.
This means that the story takes a look at why hunting for fun might be a bad thing to do, as animals feel just as much pain and fear as humans.
How does Rainsford finally defeat Zaroff? Explain.
He tricks the General into thinking he has won the game and jumps in the sea. Later, he swims back around to the mansion and sneaks into the Zaroff's bedroom, hiding behind curtains and waiting for Zaroff to come to bed.
2 parts:
1.How does Zaroff prepare his "prey" for the hunt? Why?
2. What items does he provide them with to begin the hunt?
2. He gives them a sack of food, a knife, shoes, and clothes to survive the jungle.
How does Rainsford's view of hunting change from the beginning to the end of the story? Explain.
At the beginning of the story, he is an avid hunter who believes animals feel no pain or fear. After being hunted by Zaroff, he now understands what it means to be "an animal at bay". He realizes animals do feel pain and fear and regrets his ideas about hunting by the end of the story after killing Zaroff.
Give me two different kinds of irony that are seen in the story (and name them) and explain what they mean and how they are ironic.
Answers may vary. The teacher will decide.
What is one of the biggest themes in the story? Explain and be specific.
One of the biggest themes in the story is the theme of being empathetic (understanding others) and putting yourself in their shoes. For example, by the end of the story, Rainsford now understands how animals feel when he hunts them since he is being hunted as well.