Dialectical Journal

 This is a way to keep track of quotes from the story that are important to analyze.  You will get a deeper understanding of the text from this analysis.  You will also be able to use it on the performance task for this story.

Quote Page #Analysis  I will give you a quote You will answer questions or ask you to select one on this part of the from a part of the text.Text.

Quote and Page Number Analysis “The world is made up of two classes– the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are the hunters” (5). What do you predict will happen?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “He did not recognize the animal that made the sound, he did not try to; with fresh vitality he swam toward the sound. He heard it again; then it was cut short by another noise, crisp, staccato” (7). What do you predict will happen?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “Another man was coming down the broad marble steps, an erect, slender man in evening clothes. He advanced to Rainsford and held out his hand”(10). What can I tell about this man? (character traits) Who can I infer he is?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “ ‘He is a Cossack,’ said the General, and his smile showed red lips and pointed teeth. ‘So am I’ ”(10). Why does General Zaroff disclose (tell us) he and Ivan are Cossacks? What can you predict about his character? What do you think happens next?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “ ‘Here on my preserve on this island,’ he said in the same slow tone, ‘I hunt more dangerous game’ ” (12). Which part of this statement is ambiguous? Which part may be foreshadowing? What do you think happens next?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “ ‘I needed a new animal. I found one. So I bought this island, built this house, and here I do my hunting’ ” (15). Underline the ambiguity in the quote. What animal do you think the general found?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “ ‘Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and if need be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure’ ” (16). Other than with regards to killing, what do you think this could mean? Do you agree with the General? Why or why not?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “ ‘He need not play the game if he doesn’t wish to. If he does not wish to hunt, I turn him over to Ivan. Ivan once had the honor of serving as the official knouter to the Great White Czar, and he has his own ideas of sport’ ”(18). What is a “knouter”? What attitude does Zaroff have toward his game? Explain two meanings to the title of the story “The Most Dangerous Game”

Quote and Page Number Analysis “ ‘But why discuss that now? Three days hence we can discuss it over a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, unless—’ ” (21). Why does the General want to discuss Rainsford leaving the island in three days? What do you predict will happen?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “Rainsford’s second thought was even more terrible. It sent a shudder of cold horror through his whole being. Why had the General smiled? Why had he turned back?” (24). Why does the General smile? Why does he turn back? What does this tell you about the General (characterization)?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “He stepped back from the quicksand a dozen feet or so, and, like some huge prehistoric beaver, he began to dig” (25). Why is Rainsford digging in quicksand? What does he intend to do? Is it going to work? Why or why not?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “It seemed to Rainsford that the General was coming with unusual swiftness... [Rainsford] lived a year in a minute” (26). What could be causing Zaroff to move so quickly? What does the author mean by “liv[ing] a year in a minute? Is this figurative or literal language?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “Rainsford now knew how an animal at bay feels” (27) “Rainsford hesitated. He heard the hounds. Then he leapt far out into the sea...” (27). How is this first quote ironic? Why does the author choose to use such short sentences to describe this part of the story? What happens to Rainsford?

Quote and Page Number Analysis “ ‘I am still a beast at bay,’ he said, in a low, hoarse voice. ‘Get ready, General Zaroff’ ”(28). How is Rainsford different at the end of the story than the beginning? Is there a difference between what Zaroff has done and what Rainsford has done? Is Rainsford a murderer?