“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell Presentation by Timothy Peterson 9/12/14 Period 5

“An unbroken front of snarled and ragged jungle fringed the shore. He saw no sign of a trail through the closely knit web of weeds and trees; it was easier to go along the shore, and Rainsford floundered along by the water.” (Page 22) The setting reveals that Rainsford is on an island that appears to be abandoned. Rainsford follows along the shore instead of going straight into the jungle which shows that he is intelligent. The author makes the island seem more hazardous through his choice of descriptive adjectives.

“He went to the window and looked out. His room was high up in one of the towers. The lights of the château were out now, and it was dark and silent, but there was a fragment of sallow moon, and by its wan light he could see, dimly, the courtyard; there, weaving in and out in the pattern of shadow, were black, noiseless forms; the hounds heard him at the window and looked up, expectantly, with their green eyes. Rainsford went back to the bed and lay down. By many methods he tried to put himself to sleep. He had achieved a doze when, just as morning began to come, he heard, far off in the jungle, the faint report of a pistol.” This part of the text shows that the island is peaceful and quiet, but the beauty hides the horrible events that happen on the island. The author makes Rainsford seem nervous by making him not be able to sleep. His restlessness displays his anxiety for the upcoming hunt. The reader can also infer that Rainsford will be tired the next day due to his inability to sleep, making him less likely to survive Zaroff’s game. The setting described is important because it describes how the island is when it is night. This makes the island seem more perilous because Zaroff hunts people. (Page 30)

“A blue gap showed between the trees dead ahead. Ever nearer drew the hounds. 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 château. Twenty feet below him the sea rumbled and hissed. Rainsford hesitated. He heard the hounds. Then he leapt far out into the sea....” (Page 36) The island is described as twenty feet above the ocean, which makes the island seem more dangerous. This also makes Rainsford’s jump more risky. The setting described in the text shows that Rainsford is willing to do anything to save his life. Earlier in the story, the author made the ocean around the island seem like a treacherous place. By jumping into the sea, Rainsford shows his courage and his will to live.