A Story of Suspense and Action!!!

PRE-READING

Background Richard Connell First published in 1924 Connell's story raises questions about the nature of violence and cruelty and the ethics of hunting for sport. Background Author: Publication Focus

Hunter Sanger Rainsford becomes stranded on an island Overview The Most Dangerous Game Hunter Sanger Rainsford becomes stranded on an island He finds another hunter, named General Zaroff, living on the island in a dark, secluded mansion Zaroff is an excellent hunter as well, and is desperately looking for new challenges to test his hunting skills. The Cape Buffalo is One of the World’s Most Dangerous Animals

Literary Focus Violence and Cruelty Themes and Conflicts Ethics of Hunting The Weak versus the Strong Survival of the Fittest The Hunter Becoming the Hunted Revenge Gaming Room. Will Zaroff’s Look the Same Way?

Literary Focus Setting: Point of View: Connell sets the "game'' in a dangerous wilderness of quicksand, wild seas, fallen trees, mud and sand, and rocky cliffs. Omniscient third-person narrator.

Literary Focus Suspense Foreshadowing The story’s fast-paced action, life or death plot, and jungle setting all contribute to a sense of anxiety about what will happen next in the short story There are numerous clues about the “new game” that Zaroff hunts, but perhaps no clue is stronger than his repeated claim that 1 animal can reason

Characters Rainsford Rainsford: world famous hunter who doesn’t believe animals have feelings and becomes stranded on Ship-Trap Island. Rainsford

General Zaroff: refined manners, clothing, tastes, and delicate speech contrast with his brutal passion for hunting. Characters General Zaroff General Zaroff

REFLECTION & ANALYSIS

Questions to Answer About CHARACTER Who is the main character? Who is/are the subordinate characters? How does the main character interact with the subordinate characters? How do the interactions between the characters affect the plot? 11

Questions to Answer about NARRATION AND DIALOGUE What does Rainsford say about himself? What does Zaroff say about himself? What does Rainsford say about Zaroff? What does Zaroff say about Rainsford? What do you think about Rainsford? What do you think about Zaroff? 12

What are the internal conflicts that the characters have? In literature and drama, a struggle which takes place in the protagonist's mind and through which the character reaches a new understanding or dynamic change What are the internal conflicts that the characters have? 13

What are the external conflicts that the characters have? In literature, a struggle between the protagonist and another character against nature or some outside force What are the external conflicts that the characters have? 14

Example: The jungle was green Literal Meaning LITERAL MEANING In accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical: the literal meaning of a word. Example: The jungle was green and muggy. 15

Example: His hands were as rough Figurative Meaning FIGURATIVE MEANING Of the nature of or involving a figure of speech, esp. a metaphor; metaphorical; not literal: a figurative expression. Example: His hands were as rough as sandpaper. 16