“The Most Dangerous Game” Critical Thinking Questions
Due: Friday, February 19 by 12AM
Directions: For each of the questions, you will write a minimum 5-SENTENCE response and MUST have
at least one piece of CITED textual support. If you have any questions or need me to look at your
answer, please do not hesitate to email me.
Points: 100
1. Reread the following lines:
"OFF THERE to the right--somewhere--is a large island," said Whitney." It's rather a mystery--"
"What island is it?" Rainsford asked.
"The old charts call it `Ship-Trap Island,"' Whitney replied." A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors
have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition--"
"The place has a reputation--a bad one."
"Cannibals?" suggested Rainsford.
"Hardly. Even cannibals wouldn't live in such a God-forsaken place. But it's gotten into sailor
lore, somehow. Didn't you notice that the crew's nerves seemed a bit jumpy today?"
"They were a bit strange, now you mention it. Even Captain Nielsen--"
"Yes, even that tough-minded old Swede, who'd go up to the devil himself and ask him for a
light. Those fishy blue eyes held a look I never saw there before. All I could get out of him was
What is the significance of the author structuring this dialogue in the beginning of the text?
RL8.5
2. Briefly describe Rainsford’s strategies to elude General Zaroff? RL 8.1
3. What is the significance of Zaroff expressing to Rainsford, “I have electricity? We try to be
civilized here”?
4. What do Rainsford’s action reveal about his character after he falls in to the sea and before he
reaches the chateau? RL8.3
5. Describe General Zaroff both physically and in terms of his personality. RL 8.1
6. The short story is called “The Most Dangerous Game.” What are the different interpretations
of the title?
7. Ivan never utters a word in the short story, and yet he is an important character. What role
does Ivan serve in the story?
8. Why does the author provide a flashback to General Zaroff’s childhood on page 6?
9. Who do you believe is the more intelligent character, General Zaroff or Rainsford? Why?
10. The author uses the technique of foreshadowing throughout the story. Pick two examples of
foreshadowing and explain how the author uses these examples to develop the story.