Vocabulary
What does the word tangible mean in the story?
Tangible means something that can be touched or felt.
What is the name of the island where the story takes place?
Ship-Trap Island
What is the main conflict in the story?
Hint: Think of the types of conflict in literature such as Man vs. Man, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Self.
Man vs. Man (Rainsford vs. Zaroff)
What type of figurative language is used in: “The night was as thick as velvet”?
Simile
Who wrote The Most Dangerous Game?
Richard Connell
What is a synonym for amenities, as used in the text?
A synonym for amenities is comforts or luxuries.
What causes Rainsford to fall off the yacht?
He leans too far overboard after hearing gunshots.
How does Rainsford’s opinion on hunting change by the end of the story?
He starts as a hunter with no sympathy for prey but experiences fear as the hunted.
What does the jungle symbolize in the story?
Hint: Think about how Rainsford feels when he is inside the jungle. Does it represent safety or danger?
The jungle symbolizes danger, fear, and the unknown. It traps Rainsford, just like Zaroff’s game.
In what year was The Most Dangerous Game published?
1924
What is palpable, and how does it set the mood at the beginning of the story?
Palpable means so intense it feels it can be touched, setting an ominous mood.
What is General Zaroff's reason for hunting humans instead of animals?
He believes animals are too easy to hunt so he wants a more challenging prey - human.
How does General Zaroff justify his actions about hunting people?
He claims the strong have the right to dominate the weak.
The following is an example of what literary device:
"He lived a year in a minute."
Hyperbole
What major historical event influenced the themes in the story?
World War I
What does ardent mean in the story?
Ardent means passionate or enthusiastic.
How does Rainsford outsmart Zaroff at the end of the story?
He jumps off a cliff into the sea, and later surprising Zaroff by hiding in his bedroom.
How does the setting contribute to the mood of the story?
The dark, isolated island and eerie jungle create suspense.
How does General Zaroff’s statement, “We try to be civilized here,” show verbal irony?
Zaroff says he is civilized, but he hunts people for sport. This is verbal irony because his actions are the opposite of being civilized.
What is the practice of hunting wild animals for sport called?
Trophy hunting
How does Zaroff use the word debacle to describe the Russian Revolution?
Debacle means a disaster or complete failure. Zaroff calls Russian Revolution a debacle because he lost his wealth and status as an aristocrat.
What are the three traps Rainsford sets for Zaroff, and what do they symbolize?
The Malay mancatcher (injures Zaroff), the Burmese tiger pit (kills one of Zaroff’s dogs), and the Ugandan knife trap (kills Ivan). They symbolize Rainsford’s adaptability and growing desperation.
What is a major theme of the story?
Survival, morality, and the hunter vs. the hunted
How does Connell use personification in the description of the island?
Connell personifies the jungle and sea by making them seem alive and threatening. Example: “The night crawled slowly by like a wounded snake.”
How has The Most Dangerous Game influenced modern literature and film?
The story inspired books, movies, and shows about deadly human hunts, like The Hunger Games.