The Interlopers
Study Guide
1. Why is Ulrich von Gradwitz out in the forest on a winter night?
2. When the story begins, how long has the feud lasted?
3. What has kept the feud from ending?
Information on quotes. When you quote a text, you should include the author’s last name and the page
number of the quote in parentheses. See the example below:
The land is described as being “of wide extent and well stocked with game” (Saki 82).
4. Write two quotes that alert the reader to the possibility that all is not well in the forest. What do we
call this literary device? (See the example above for how this should look. See page 83 for examples of
this device).
5.
Do you think it is realistic that Ulrich and Georg meet face to face as they do? Why or why not?
6. What happens as the men stand facing one another?
7. At first, what attitude do they have toward each other? Give a quote to prove it.
8. What is your opinion of the men at this point?
9. What does Ulrich call Georg, signaling that he no longer wishes to continue their feud? What
proposition does he offer?
10. What is Georg’s reaction? (You can use the bottom of page 86 or the top of 87). Use a quote, and
tell why you think the author describes it in this way.
11. What benefit to others does Georg foresee their newfound relationship having?
12. When they reconcile, what do you assume will happen?
13. What actually happens (most likely)?
14. What questions are left unanswered?
15. Would the story be as effective if the men were rescued? Why or why not?
16. What does the title mean? Explain at least two possibilities.
Answers:
1. He is guarding his forest and hunting for a man.
2. Although it is well-stocked with game, the territory in question is no more valuable than any other part
of the Gradwitz forest lands
3. three generations – since the time of Ulrich’s grandfather
4. Georg Znaeym
5. “…the personal ill will of the two men.”
6. “The roebuck…were running like driven things tonight…”
7. Yes, he thinks it is his enemy, Georg Znaeym
8. Yes, they are constantly antagonizing each other and probably go out of their way to encounter one
another
9. Lightning strikes a tree near them, and part of the tree falls down, pining the two men down
10. They taunt each other and claim they will “fight this quarrel out to the death.”
11. He offers the flask to Georg.
12. He refuses the offer, saying he can’t see the flask because of the blood caked around his eyes, and
that he wouldn’t drink with Ulrich in any case.
13. Neighbor. He wants to end the feud and become friends.
14. He agrees.
15. “…peace among the forester folk.”
16. They call for help together.
17. Nine or ten
18. No one’s men – they are wolves.
19. Answers will vary.