Name
Period
Date
“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell
Study Guide
I. Plot Structure and Development
1.
Plot Pyramid:
A. Exposition:
B. Inciting Moment:
C. Rising Action:
D. Climax:
E. Falling Action:
F.
Resolution:
G. Denouement:
2.
Foreshadowing: Identify at least three (3) examples of foreshadowing in the text. Write the quote and include the page
number.
A.
B.
C.
3.
Setting: Identify the time and place setting of the story.
A. Time:
B. Place:
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4.
Conflict: Identify at least one example of each of the following types of conflicts from the story. Explain the conflict, cite
what type of conflict it is, and explain how it is resolved.
Conflict Type
Description of Conflict
External/
Internal?
Resolution of Conflict
Man v. Man
Man v. Nature
Man v. Self
II. Characterization and Point of View
5. Who is the protagonist? Explain how you know.
6.
Who is the antagonist? Explain how you know.
7.
From what point of view is the story told? How do you know?
III. Irony
8.
Provide an example of irony from the text. Then explain how it is ironic.
IV. Theme
9. Answer the following questions to help you in deciphering the story’s theme.
A. Does the main character change through the course of the story? Does he realize something he had not
known before?
B. Are any important statements about life or people made in the story – either by the narrator or other
characters? What are they?
10. Determine the story’s theme (message about/insight into life).
A. Thematic Concept/Subject (What is it about?):
_______
B. Theme Statement (What message/lesson is presented about that subject?):
_______
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V. Passage Analysis
11. “The sea was as flat as a plate glass window. We were drawing near the island then. What I felt was a – a mental
chill; a sort of sudden dread.” P. 62
What does the simile suggest about the “chills” that Whitney felt as the ship neared the island?
12. Sometimes I think evil is a tangible thing—with wavelengths, such as sound and light have.” (62)
What idea about evil does the metaphor introduce?
13. The lights of the yacht became faint and ever vanishing fireflies; then they were blotted out entirely by the night.”
(63)
In the quotation above, the author uses a ___________ to compare the vanishing yacht to ___________. What
does this tell the reader about the change in Rainsford’s situation?
14. “All he knew was that he was safe from his enemy, the sea, and that utter weariness was on him.” p. 63
What is ironic about the quotation?
15. 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? Rainsford did not want to believe what his reason told
him was true, but the truth was as evident as the sun that had by now pushed through the morning mists. The
general was playing with him! The general was saving him for another day’s sport! The Cossack was the cat; he
was the mouse. Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror. “I will not lose my nerve. I will not.”
Is Rainsford’s conflict internal or external in the passage above?What is he struggling against?
16. “Rainsford,” called the general, “if you are within the sound of my voice, as I suppose you are, let me
congratulate you. Not many men know how to make a Malay mancatcher. Luckily, for me, I too have hunted in
Malacca. You are proving interesting, Mr. Rainsford. I am going now to have my wound dressed; it’s only a slight
one. But I shall be back. I shall be back. P. 77
In spite of being hurt, Zaroff congratulates Rainsford on his 'Malay mancatcher', why?
17. 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.
p. 80
On p. 79 the narrator tells the reader that “Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels. ”Why does Connell
repeat the phrase in Rainsford’s reply to Zaroff?
What is ironic about the plot twist at the end of the story?
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