Plot
This action started the story and is the exposition of the story.
What is:
Rainsford hears gunshots in the distance, leans over the yacht's rail, and accidentally falls into the water and has to swim to Ship-Trap Island.
How does the story explore psychological conflict?
Rainsford must stay calm while being hunted.
Where does the story take place?
The story is set on Ship-Trap Island, a mysterious and isolated island in the Caribbean Sea
What causes Rainsford’s change in perspective about hunting?
Being hunted by General Zaroff forces Rainsford to experience fear and vulnerability firsthand, giving him insight into the feelings of prey.
What is an example of foreshadowing in the story?
Whitney mentions that Ship-Trap Island has a mysterious reputation and makes sailors feel uneasy.
What is the initial setting of the story?
The story begins on a yacht in the Caribbean Sea, where the protagonist, Sanger Rainsford, is traveling to hunt jaguars in the Amazon.
What is the main external conflict in the story?
man vs man
What is the name of the island where the story takes place?
Ship-Trap Island
How is Rainsford characterized at the beginning of the story?
At the beginning, Rainsford is a confident, skilled big-game hunter who believes the world is divided into "hunters and huntees."
What kind of conflict is central to the story?
Man vs. Man (Rainsford vs. Zaroff), and Man vs. Nature (Rainsford vs. the jungle). There is also a Man vs. Self conflict as Rainsford questions his own beliefs.
This general is a Russian aristocrat and hunter who lives on Ship-Trap Island. He is unusual because he hunts humans for sport, claiming they are the only prey worthy of his skills.
General Zaroff
How is the conflict resolved at the end of the story?
The Man vs. Man conflict ends when Rainsford surprises Zaroff in his bedroom and defeats him
How does the setting contribute to the mood of the story?
The setting creates a mood of suspense, fear, and isolation.
Who is the protagonist of the story?
Rainsford
How is symbolism used in the story?
The jungle symbolizes the raw, primal nature of life and survival.
How does the game end?
After jumping into the sea to escape, Rainsford sneaks back into Zaroff’s mansion. He surprises Zaroff in his bedroom and defeats him in a final.
How does the story show a conflict between Man vs. Nature?
Rainsford struggles against the sea when he falls off the yacht and later faces the challenges of surviving in the jungle.
How does the setting change from the beginning to the end of the story?
At the beginning, the setting is calm and civilized aboard the yacht. As the story progresses, it shifts to the wild and dangerous jungle of Ship-Trap Island. By the end, the setting returns to Zaroff’s chateau, now under Rainsford’s control, symbolizing a reversal of power.
How does Rainsford ultimately defeat Zaroff?
After jumping into the sea to escape, Rainsford sneaks back into Zaroff’s house and surprises him.
What is the tone of the story, and how is it established?
The tone is dark, suspenseful, and eerie.
How does Rainsford react when he learns about Zaroff’s hunting practices?
He is horrified
How is the idea of “the hunter vs. the hunted” a central conflict in the story?
This idea drives the entire plot. At first, Rainsford is a hunter, confident and emotionless. Later, he becomes the hunted, and his perspective shifts.
What role does the weather and time of day play in the story’s setting?
The story opens at night, with darkness and fog enhancing the mystery and fear surrounding the island.
In what ways is Rainsford both a "hunter" and "hunted"?
Initially, he is literally a hunter, proud of his skills. But when Zaroff hunts him, he becomes the prey. This reversal helps him understand the fear of being hunted, blurring the line between predator and victim.
How does the jungle function as a symbol?
The jungle symbolizes wildness, danger, and survival.