Identifying Characters/Setting
What is the name of the island?
Ship-Trap Island
What animal are Rainsford and Whitney talking about hunting at the start of the story?
Jaguars
Why did Zaroff decide to stop hunting regular animals?
He was bored/They were no longer a challenge for him (Accepting either answer)
What is Rainsford's first strategy to survive the first night of the hunt?
Rainsford makes a difficult trail to follow and hides in a tree.
Quote from Rainsford: "The world is made up of two classes--hunters and huntees."
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QUESTION: Based on this quote, which class can we infer Rainsford would categorize himself as?
The "hunter" class
Who is the protagonist (main character) of the story?
Rainsford
Why does Rainsford not go to bed after his conversation with Whitney?
He wants to smoke his pipe on the deck of the ship.
What does General Zaroff want to show Rainsford before he goes to bed?
His collection of human heads.
What does Rainsford do to get away from General Zaroff and his dogs on the last day of the hunt?
He jumps off a cliff into the sea.
Read the final lines of the story:
The general sucked in his breath and smiled. "I congratulate you," he said. "You have won the game."
Rainsford did not smile. "I am still a beast at bay," he said, in a low, hoarse voice. "Get ready, General Zaroff."
The general made one of his deepest bows. "I see," he said. "Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford."
He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.
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QUESTION: What can we infer about what happens to General Zaroff at the end of the story?
General Zaroff is killed by Rainsford.
This character looks like an aristrocrat and owns the island.
General Zaroff
What does Rainsford hear coming from the island which startles him?
gunshots
What happens if people refuse to play General Zaroff's game?
Ivan kills them
What happens to Ivan during the hunt? Try to be as specific as possible.
He is killed by a knife trap Rainsford set for General Zaroff.
Quote:
In a cultivated voice marked by a slight accent that gave it added precision and deliberateness, he said, “It is a very great pleasure and honor to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home.”
Automatically Rainsford shook the man’s hand.
“I’ve read your book about hunting snow leopards in Tibet, you see,” explained the man. “I am General Zaroff.”
-------------------------------------------------------------QUESTION: Based on this quote, what conclusion can we draw about Rainsford's profession?
He is a professional hunter
This character is described as "an incredibly strong fellow, but has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb."
Ivan
How does Rainsford know which way to go on the island to find people?
He follows the gunshots/footsteps (I would accept either answer)
What is the main characteristic that Zaroff wants the animals he hunts to have? (What does Zaroff want his prey to be able to do?)
Reason
What are 2 things that Zaroff does to show that he knows Rainsford is hiding in the tree? (need both for credit)
He smiles and blows cigarette smoke up toward the tree.
Quote from the story:
He shinned excitedly up a tree and looked back. His pursuers had stopped. But the hope that was in Rainsford's brain when he climbed died, for he saw in the shallow valley that General Zaroff was still on his feet. But Ivan was not. The knife, driven by the recoil of the springing tree, had not wholly failed.
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QUESTION: What inference can we make as to what happened to Ivan?
Ivan was stabbed by the knife trap and killed.
What part of the island does General Zaroff recommend Rainsford stay away from when he decides to hunt Rainsford?
Death Swamp
How did Rainsford end up on the island from the boat? Briefly summarize what happened (your answer needs at least 3 things that happened in order to be considered for points).
He heard gunshots; he fell off the yacht when he dropped his cigar trying to see where the shots were coming from; he called out for help but the boat didn't hear him; he swam to the island.
How does General Zaroff trap ships/people on his island? Be as specific as possible.
Zaroff uses electric lights out at sea to lead ships into a rocky, shallow part of the sea next to the island.
What is the specific name of ONE trap which Rainsford makes to try and kill General Zaroff? (he makes 3--you just need to name 1)
Malay man-catcher; Burmese Tiger pit; Ugandan knife spring
Quote:
Rainsford forced himself on toward that gap. He reached it. It was the shore of the sea. Across a cove he could see the gloomy gray stone of the chateau. Twenty feet below him the sea rumbled and hissed. Rainsford hesitated. He heard the hounds. Then he leaped far out into the sea. . . .
When the general and his pack reached the place by the sea, the Cossack stopped. For some minutes he stood regarding the blue-green expanse of water. He shrugged his shoulders. Then be sat down, took a drink of brandy from a silver flask, lit a cigarette, and hummed a bit from Madame Butterfly.
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QUESTION: What conclusion does General Zaroff draw about Rainsford in this scene?
General Zaroff believes Rainsford drowned in the sea.