Comprehension
What happens to Zaroff's favorite dog, Lazarus?
Lazarus gets caught in a trap created by Rainsford. He falls into a concealed hole with sharp stakes sticking up from the ground.
What's the climax of the story?
The climax (highest point of action) occurs when
Rainsford jumps off the cliff into the sea.
“An abrupt sound startled him. Off to the right he heard it, and his ears, expert in such matters, could not be mistaken...someone had fired a gun three times.” What does abrupt mean?
Sudden or Unexpected
Where was Rainsford planning to go before he ended up on Ship Trap Island?
He was traveling to the Amazon rainforest to hunt the region's big cat: the jaguar.
How is situational irony used in this story (Situational irony occurs when something is deliberately contrary to what one expects.)?
In this story, it is ironic that renowned hunter, Rainsford, becomes the hunted.
How does Zaroff stock his island with new people to hunt?
General Zaroff uses a light to lure his ships into the rocks and forces the sailors who wash up on shore to play his dangerous game as his prey.
What narrative point of view does the story use?
“The Most Dangerous Game” is told from the third person point of view.
“If my quarry eludes me for three whole days, he wins the game. If I find him "--the general smiled--" he loses.” What does elude mean?
To escape (mentally or physically)
Why does Rainsford decide to jump off the cliff into the water?
He jumped because the hounds were nearing him to attack. He also saw the chateau across the water and saw an opportunity to perhaps defeat the general later.
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.
Why do the sailors fear Ship Trap Island?
Sailors fear Ship Trap Island because of the superstitious ideologies and reputation attached to it. Whitney says the island has an evil aura and sailors have learned to stay at a distance.
Who is the main protagonist and antagonist in this story?
The main protagonist is Rainsford and the main antagonist is General Zaroff.
“Desperately he struck out with strong strokes after the receding lights of the yacht, but he stopped before he had swum fifty feet.” What does receding mean?
To pull back or move away
Zaroff says he doesn't force the humans to play his game. Why do they choose to participate?
Zaroff gives the humans the option of playing his game or going up against Ivan, which is sure death.
What color is a symbol in the story? What does it symbolize?
Red imagery and blood are used as a warning of impending danger and to reinforce an atmosphere of violence and death.
What was the primary reason that General Zaroff decided to start hunting people instead of animals?
Zaroff began to find hunting animals boring as they only relied on instinct. Humans have the ability to reason, which made them more difficult prey for him to hunt.
Give one word that best describes the mood of the story.
Suspenseful, foreboding, frightening, scary, etc.
“The general steered Rainsford to a window. The lights from the windows sent a flickering illumination that made grotesque patterns on the courtyard below.” What does grotesque mean?
Shocking or disturbing
Why does Zaroff leave Rainsford in the tree on the first night of hunting?
Zaroff doesn’t kill him because he felt Rainsford was a good match and wanted to continue “playing the game.”
A paradox is when two incongruous or contradictory elements exist within one thing or person. Why is Zaroff a paradoxical character?
Zaroff is refined and intelligent but also ruthless and brutal. He is a good host to Rainsford, yet wants to kill him.
Why does the general suggest Rainsford wear moccasins?
General Zaroff suggests he wears moccasins as they leave a poorer trail and will make him more difficult to find.
Knowing what happens later in the story, what literary device is used here: “The world is made up of two classes - the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are the hunters.”
Foreshadowing (that Rainsford will become the huntee)
“He was finding the general a most thoughtful and affable host.”
What does affable mean?
Warm and friendly
What does the last sentence of the story suggest?
"He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided."
It suggests that Rainsford finally defeated and killed Zaroff, finally winning the game.
How does Rainsford's perspective change in this story?
At the beginning of the story, Rainsford shows zero care for the animals that he hunts and sees them as prey and nothing more. At the end of the story, he has an understanding that the hunted may feel more than he originally thought.