Name
Period
Date
LITERARY ANALYSIS GUIDE
“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell (pp. 27-42)
LESSON FOCUS: Plot, Setting, Point of View, Characterization, Conflict, Mood,
Suspense, Diction, Imagery, Reading Comprehension and Strategies
PRE-READING
DENOTATION AND CONNOTATION: Use a dictionary, your own knowledge, and
the knowledge of your classmates to discover the denotative and connotative
meanings of the word “game.”
Denotation:
1.
2.
3.
Connotation (circle one):
Positive
Negative
Neutral
MAKING PREDICTIONS: Examine the meanings of the word “game.” Consider
these meanings in relation to the title of the story. What predictions can you make
about the story based on the title and its use of the word “game”? Write in complete sentences, and be
prepared to discuss and give reasons for your prediction.
DURING READING
SECTION 1: PAGES 27-31
1. POINT OF VIEW: From what point of view is the story told? How do you know?
2. SETTING: What is the initial setting at the beginning of the story? Cite three pieces of textual
evidence that lead you to draw this conclusion.
Setting:
Textual Evidence #1:
Textual Evidence #2:
Textual Evidence #3:
3. CHARACTERIZATION: In the chart provided, list quotations from the text that reveal characteristics of
Rainsford and Whitney. Provide two (2) quotations for each of the characters. In the third column,
summarize what is learned about the character from each quotation that you have chosen. In the last
column, identify this as either direct characterization or indirect characterization.
Character
Quotation from Text
Characteristic
Direct or Indirect?
Rainsford
Whitney
4. COMPREHENSION: Where are the two characters going, and for what purpose?
5. COMPREHENSION: What two classes does Rainsford say the world is made up of? What does this
mean?
6. INTERPRET/FORESHADOWING: What important philosophy is presented by Rainsford and Whitney?
Why is this significant (In other words, what might Connell’s purpose be in presenting it so early in the
story?)
7. FORESHADOWING: Examine the discussion regarding Ship-Trap Island. What might be
foreshadowed by this discussion and by the sailors’ and captain’s evident fear of it?
8. COMPREHENSION: What causes Rainsford to climb onto to the rail of the boat?
9. CONFLICT: What type of conflict does Rainsford face immediately after falling overboard?
10. MOTIVATION: When Rainsford awakens on the island, why does he get up and begin walking?
11. MAKING INFERENCES: On the island, what is odd about the place Rainsford finds where an animal
has been killed? What might this mean?
12. MAKING INFERENCES: How can you tell that Rainsford is a good hunter?
13. DICTION AND IMAGERY: Examine the description of the building in paragraphs 3-5 of page 30. Is
your impression of the building positive, negative, or neutral? Identify at least two specific words and
two images that lead to your perception. Identify the sense to which each image appeals.
14. CONFLICT: Upon knocking on the door of the building, what kind of conflict does Rainsford
encounter? Describe it.
15. CHARACTERIZATION: In the chart provided, list quotations from the text that reveal characteristics of
Ivan and General Zaroff. Provide two (2) quotations for each of the characters. In the third column,
summarize what is learned about the character from each quotation that you have chosen. In the last
column, identify this as either direct characterization or indirect characterization.
Character
Quotation from Text
Ivan
General Zaroff
16. COMPREHENSION: What does General Zaroff look like?
Characteristic
Direct or Indirect?
SECTION 2: PAGES 31-37
17. IMAGERY: Describe the dining room based on the details presented in the text. What kind of image
does this create of the dining room?
18. MAKING INFERENCES: When sitting at dinner, why might General Zaroff be “studying [Rainsford],
appraising him narrowly”?
19. MOTIVATION: Why didn’t General Zaroff’s father punish him after shooting his prize turkeys?
20. EXPLAIN: Why has General Zaroff grown bored with hunting more traditional game like jaguars and
Cape buffalo?
21. CONFLICT: What type of conflict does Zaroff face when he realizes he has grown bored with hunting?
22. DEFINE: What is the ability to reason?
23. EXPLAIN: Why is the ability to reason an important quality in the general’s prey?
24. SUSPENSE: How does Connell build suspense leading up to the revelation of what Zaroff hunts?
25. COMPREHENSION: What does General Zaroff hunt on the island (What is his “new sensation”?)?
26. FORESHADOWING: Before General Zaroff reveals what the new animal he hunts is, what clues exist
in the story to hint at (foreshadow) what that animal is?
27. MAKING CONNECTIONS: Zaroff states, “Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if need
be, taken by the strong” (35). How does this fit in with Rainsford’s hunting philosophy?
28. MAKING INFERENCES: Based on General Zaroff’s decision of what to hunt and his commentary on
who the “scum of the Earth” is, what does he think of humanity?
29. COMPREHENSION: How does General Zaroff “help Providence” bring prey to Ship-Trap Island for
him?
30. MAKING INFERENCES: What can you infer about the gunshot that Rainsford hears in the morning?
31. COMPREHENSION: What is the procedure that General Zaroff follows when hunting?
32. EVALUATE: Does General Zaroff “play fair” when he hunts? Explain your answer.
33. SUSPENSE: How does the description of Rainsford’s first night in the chateau help build suspense?
34. CONFLICT: At this point in the story, the main conflict has become clear. What is the main conflict,
and what type of conflict is it?
SECTION 3: PAGES 38-42
35. EXPLAIN: How does Rainsford use his knowledge of hunting to make himself elusive prey?
36. SUSPENSE: How does Connell (the author) build suspense as Rainsford hides in the tree?
37. ANALYZE: After hiding in the tree, why does Rainsford now “know the full meaning of terror”? Why is
this such a revelation for him, considering his views in the beginning of the story?
38. SUSPENSE: How does Rainsford’s intense fear help to build suspense?
39. COMPREHENSION: Name and describe the first trap the Rainsford sets in the woods.
40. COMPREHENSION: What happens as a result of the first trap?
41. COMPREHENSION: Name and describe the second trap that Rainsford sets in the woods.
42. COMPREHENSION: What happens as a result of the second trap?
43. CONFLICT: How does the introduction of the hounds complicate the plot?
44. COMPREHENSION: Describe the third trap that Rainsford sets.
45. COMPREHENSION: What happens as a result of the third trap?
46. MAKING INFERENCES: On page 41, why does Rainsford jump?
47. SUSPENSE: Although the scene with Zaroff on p. 41 is very peaceful, it helps to contribute to
suspense. Explain how.
48. MAKING INFERENCES: What happens at the end of the story? Explain how you know.
POST-READING ANALYSIS
SETTING
49. Why is the island an ideal setting for this story?
CHARACTERIZATION
50. Who is the protagonist of the story? Explain why he is the protagonist.
51. Who is the main antagonist of the story? Explain why he is the antagonist.
52. In the table below, categorize each of the characters below as round or flat AND static or dynamic.
Be prepared to discuss and defend your answers in class.
CHARACTER
ROUND or FLAT?
STATIC or DYNAMIC?
Sanger Rainsford
Whitney
General Zaroff
Ivan
POINT OF VIEW
53. What is the effect of telling the story from this point of view? How would the story be different if told
from a different point of view?
PLOT STRUCTURE: Using the Freytag’s Pyramid provided, diagram the major plot events in “The Most
Dangerous Game,” ensuring that you address all seven elements: Exposition, Inciting Moment/Incident, Rising
Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution, and Denouement (if applicable). Use the blank space below if you
need more room for notes.