Name: ___________________________________________________________ Date: ________________________ Period: _______
“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell: Literary Analysis
Double Entendres: When a word or phrase may have an alternate (double) meaning.
Traffic Sign: Slow Children Crossing.
Meaning 1: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning 2:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
I was thrown from my car as it left the road. I was later found in a ditch by some stray cows.
Meaning 1: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning 2: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Criminals get nine months in violin case.
Read more at http://examples.yourdictionary.com/double-entendre-examples.html#vHcjoPeh0UBtyS3G.99
Meaning 1:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning 2:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Most Dangerous Game
Meaning 1: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Meaning 2:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reading Questions
1. Who is the protagonist?_____________________________________The antagonist?____________________________________
2. What point of view is being used?______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the name of the island that scares the sailors? ______________________________________________________________
4. What is Rainsford’s attitude towards the hunter and the hunted? _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Find two examples of foreshadowing in the beginning of the story that help to build suspense (tension).
6. Why did General Zaroff become bored of hunting? ____________________________________________________________
7. Why are humans the ideal quarry? _________________________________________________________________________
8. How does General Zaroff justify using humans for his prey?
Conflict
Explanation
______________vs. ______________
Man. vs. Nature
______________vs. ______________
Man. vs. Self
______________vs. ______________
Man vs. Man
9. Who dies at the end of the story? __________________________________________________________________
10. How has Rainsford’s attitude toward hunting changed from the beginning of the story to the end?
11. Is Rainsford a static or dynamic character? Explain using evidence from the text to support your answer.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. Rainsford doesn’t view hunting animals as murder, yet he views Zaroff as a murderer for hunting people. Do you agree with
Rainsford or do you disagree? Is Rainsford a murderer? ______________________________________________________________
Theme
Never underestimate an
enemy.
Justification (How does the theme relate to the story)?
Fate vs free will: Are people
in control of their lives?.
What goes around often
comes around.
Review of Important Information
 Foreshadowing: A hint of things to come.
 Diction and imagery help to create foreshadowing.
 Foreshadowing creates suspense and makes the story believable.
Directions: For each of the quotes below, underline the diction that helps to create foreshadowing and explain the hint that is given
to the reader?
Underline the Diction that Creates Foreshadowing
Explain Significance & Foreshadowing
1. "Hardly. Even cannibals wouldn't live in such a Godforsaken place.”
2.
“The cry was pinched off short as the blood-warm waters
of the Caribbean Sea dosed over his head.”
3.
"Ivan is an incredibly strong fellow," remarked the
general, "but he has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb.
A simple fellow, but, I'm afraid, like all his race, a bit of a
savage."
"Is he Russian?"
"He is a Cossack," said the general, and his smile showed
red lips and pointed teeth. "So am I."
Is Rainsford’s destiny mostly driven by fate or free will? Include the character’s name in the answer.
Answer:
Example 1:
Example 2:
How do the examples prove that Rainsford’s destiny is driven by fate or free will?
Commentary:
What lesson can people learn about fate or free will based on this short story? Be specific!
Is this story character driven, plot driven, or both? Explain your thoughts using AV terms.