Reading Standard 3.6 Analyze and
trace an author’s development of time and
sequence, including the use of complex literary
devices (e.g., foreshadowing, flashbacks).
The Most Dangerous Game
Literary Response and Analysis
Reading Skills Focus
Quick Check
1. Why is it fitting that Zaroff ’s island is called ShipTrap Island?
2. Why is Zaroff glad that Rainsford has come to
the island?
3. How does the game between Zaroff and
Rainsford end?
Read with a Purpose
8. Interpret In the end, do you think that
Rainsford changes his mind about hunting?
Explain.
Literary Skills: Foreshadowing
9. Identify What clues at the beginning of the
story foreshadow danger for Rainsford? Choose
one clue and trace it through the story. For
example, you might explain how Rainsford discovers the real significance of the name “ShipTrap Island.”
4. What is the most dangerous game?
Literary Skills Review: Climax
Reading Skills: Making Predictions
5. While reading, you made predictions about
what might happen next using the chart from
page 15. Now, indicate which of your predictions were correct and which were not. Then, go
back to the story and look for any foreshadowing clues you missed.
Page
Clue
My Prediction
17
“Ship-Trap
Island”; . . .
The ship will
crash into the
island.
17
Yes No
X
“The place has Something bad X
a reputation— will happen on
a bad one.”
the island.
10. Analyze The climax of a story is a moment of
emotional intensity, when we learn how the
conflict will be resolved. At what point in the
story do we learn the outcome of the conflict
between Rainsford and Zaroff?
Writing Skills Focus
Think as a Reader/Writer
Use It in Your Writing The descriptive words
Connell uses in this story conjure up images of a
tropical island full of danger. Write your own description of a place that poses potential dangers. Choose
words that help not only convey the setting but also
create a mood.
Literary Skills Focus
Literary Analysis
6. Analyze Think about the conflicts Rainsford
faces beginning with his fall off the boat. Which
conflicts are external, and which are internal?
What skills helped Rainsford escape
an untimely death? What skills of
Zaroff ’s made escape difficult?
7. Evaluate Re-read Zaroff ’s arguments for hunting men. What is your opinion of his comments?
Applying Your Skills 35