1) What is meant by “He lived a year in a minute”?
This is an exaggeration of how Rainsford feels as he waits for his trap to do it's job. It is likely General Zaroff will find the trap and shoot Rainsford, so it is very suspenseful for Rainsford.
2) What is meant by “I am still a beast at bay”?
Rainsford means that even though he has won the game and the general is going to stop hunting him, he won't stop hunting the general because Rainsford wants to end the general's evil ways.
3) In which sea has Connell set Ship-Trap island?
The Caribbean Sea.
4) How is Zaroff able to finance his life style?
He invested in American securities.
5) If Rainsford wins the hunt, what does Zaroff promise him?
Zaroff promises that he gets to live, and will drop him off in a small village on the coast where he can resume his normal life.
6) What happened to Lazarus?
Lazarus followed one of the men who was being hunted by General Zaroff. The man carelessly ran into an area of quicksand, and Lazarus followed to it's own demise.
7) Where does Rainsford spend the first night of his hunt?
He spent his first night creating a trail that was very hard to follow. He eventually decided to camp in a tree, where the general found him and didn't kill him.
8) How many acres did Zaroff’s father have in the Crimea?
His father had a quarter of a million acres.
9) Why does Zaroff suggest Rainsford wear moccasins?
Because moccasins leave a very faint trail, which would be more of a challenge for Zaroff.
10) What caused Rainsford to believe Zaroff knew he was hiding in the tree? Do you think he was right? Give reasons.
Because Zaroff wanted to play with him, and didn't want the game to end so early. Rainsford was right because Zaroff is too good of a hunter to miss him. Zaroff blew a ring of smoke up the tree and also smiled slowly because he knew he has found Rainsford.
11) How does Zaroff stock his island with “game”?
Zaroff puts out a fake signal that it is safe, when there is really sharp rocks.
12) What happened to General Zaroff at the end of the story?
He is killed by Rainsford.
13. Inspite of being hurt, Zaroff congratulates Rainsford on his “Malay mancatcher,” why?
Zaroff is impressed that Rainsford is able to make the Malay mancatchers, and also impressed that Rainsford is actually fighting back instead of just trying to run away or survive. Zaroff finally has a prey that poses a threat to him. This gives him even more of a thrill.
14. How do we know Rainsford is an exceptionally fit man?
Rainsford swims for long distances, can run a long time and is able to climb a tall tree. He is also a very experienced hunter, which means he has to be able to follow prey, and also run away from danger.
15. Discuss the state of mind of Rainsford before he lands on the island versus that after he meets the General. What is different? (Especially about how he perceives animal feelings.)
Before Rainsford met the general, he had little sympathy for the animals that he hunts. He figures that animals are incapable of fear, and even if they are, nobody cares. After being hunted by Zaroff, Rainsford discovers true fear, and finds out how animals feel when they are being hunted by humans.
16. How does Connell inspire fear without obvious bloodshed/grotesqueness. Connell uses a scary character to inspire fear. General Zaroff is a very rich man who hunts humans for fun. He is smart, experienced, and ruthless. This is a deadly combination, and especially in addition to his wealth and power. There is also the big contrast between General Zaroff's house and the way he lives vs. what he does for entertainment (hunt humans).
Short Stories - Literary Devises
Title: The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
Point of View:
Third person
Protagonist:
What type of character is the Protagonist?
Dynamic
Flat
Antagonist:
General Zaroff
Describe the setting
The setting is somewhere in the Caribbean Sea near/on an island called "Ship-Trap Island". The island has a fake channel that indicated by two light towers. The channel is actually an area with sharp rocks that can easily sink ships. The island is like a jungle, with lots of trees, and on it lives General Zaroff, Ivan, and dozens of unfortunate sailors.
Type of Conflict:
Man vs. Man
Man vs Nature
Describe the main conflict:
The main conflict is Rainsford trying to outsmart or escape General Zaroff. Rainsford has three days to try to survive, and if he survives, then General Zaroff will let him live. During the three days, Rainsford hides, makes traps, and flees away to survive. He eventually beats Zaroff, but instead of wanting to get off the island and away from General Zaroff as fast as he can, he challenges Zaroff to a fight and wins.
Describe the Climax of the Story:
The climax of the story is when Rainsford jumps off the cliff. Rainsford is running away from Zaroff's hounds when he sees the opening in some trees and decides to jump.
How does the Protagonist change over the course of the story?
Rainsford's view towards hunting changes because he was hunted by Zaroff, and he finds out what it feels like to be hunted. Before, he had a cocky attitude, and he said "You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?". This shows his lack of sympathy for the things he hunts.
Describe the relationship between the title and the theme.
The title "The Most Dangerous Game" relates to the theme which is "Violence and Cruelty." The story shows the dark sides of humanity, but there is always hope. The title foreshadows that there is going to be danger and suspense in the story. It also suggests that there is a game, which could be portrayed in two ways.
How does the main conflict help to illustrate the theme?
General Zaroff wanted someone with his own skill to hunt. The hunt had gotten too boring for him. He wanted to be challenged and the only species that could reason was human.
How does the climax help to illustrate the theme?
The climax illustrates the theme which is all about selfishness, cruelty and violence. When Rainsford had to accept Zaroff's challenge, he hadn’t expected to be the hunted. Rainsford felt what it feels to be hunted, he wasn’t going to be shot to death so he risked his life and dove into the dark ocean.
Give examples of each of the following literary terms in the story (use quotes):
Simile:
"He lept back like an ape"
Metaphor:
"He was a monster"
Personification: "trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht."
Symbol:
Bed: Symbol of victory
Lights: Symbol of safe passageway
Foreshadowing (give both elements): Foreshadow:
"The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters." Flashback:
"When I was only five years old he gave me a little gun, specially made in Moscow for me, to shoot sparrows with. When I shot some of his prize turkeys with it ,he did not punish me; he complimented me o my marksmanship."
Irony:
At first, Rainsford is having a conversation with his friend Whitney, and he says that they are lucky to be the hunters and not the huntees. This is ironic because Rainsford falls off the boat and becomes the huntee, and where Rainsford and Whitney were headed, they were probably going to become huntees anyways.
Imagery: "...but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night."
Describe the relationships between the class theme and the story.
This story illustrates how humans are able to make smart decisions, and also are able to reason and think. These are also the reasons why General Zaroff decides to use humans as game. This doesn't always work so well for Zaroff because humans sometimes give way to their emotions and lose their minds. When people go crazy they tend to do dumb things. This is illustrated by the first day of the hunt, where Zaroff easily finds Rainsford, but lets him go because Rainsford has potential, and the General does not want to waste it by killing him right away. On the first day, Rainsford gives away to his emotions, and underestimates the general's hunting abilities.
1) What is meant by “He lived a year in a minute”?
This is an exaggeration of how Rainsford feels as he waits for his trap to do it's job. It is likely General Zaroff will find the trap and shoot Rainsford, so it is very suspenseful for Rainsford.2) What is meant by “I am still a beast at bay”?
Rainsford means that even though he has won the game and the general is going to stop hunting him, he won't stop hunting the general because Rainsford wants to end the general's evil ways.
3) In which sea has Connell set Ship-Trap island?
The Caribbean Sea.
4) How is Zaroff able to finance his life style?
He invested in American securities.
5) If Rainsford wins the hunt, what does Zaroff promise him?
Zaroff promises that he gets to live, and will drop him off in a small village on the coast where he can resume his normal life.
6) What happened to Lazarus?
Lazarus followed one of the men who was being hunted by General Zaroff. The man carelessly ran into an area of quicksand, and Lazarus followed to it's own demise.
7) Where does Rainsford spend the first night of his hunt?
He spent his first night creating a trail that was very hard to follow. He eventually decided to camp in a tree, where the general found him and didn't kill him.
8) How many acres did Zaroff’s father have in the Crimea?
His father had a quarter of a million acres.
9) Why does Zaroff suggest Rainsford wear moccasins?
Because moccasins leave a very faint trail, which would be more of a challenge for Zaroff.
10) What caused Rainsford to believe Zaroff knew he was hiding in the tree? Do you think he was right? Give reasons.
Because Zaroff wanted to play with him, and didn't want the game to end so early. Rainsford was right because Zaroff is too good of a hunter to miss him. Zaroff blew a ring of smoke up the tree and also smiled slowly because he knew he has found Rainsford.
11) How does Zaroff stock his island with “game”?
Zaroff puts out a fake signal that it is safe, when there is really sharp rocks.
12) What happened to General Zaroff at the end of the story?
He is killed by Rainsford.
13. Inspite of being hurt, Zaroff congratulates Rainsford on his “Malay mancatcher,” why?
Zaroff is impressed that Rainsford is able to make the Malay mancatchers, and also impressed that Rainsford is actually fighting back instead of just trying to run away or survive. Zaroff finally has a prey that poses a threat to him. This gives him even more of a thrill.
14. How do we know Rainsford is an exceptionally fit man?
Rainsford swims for long distances, can run a long time and is able to climb a tall tree. He is also a very experienced hunter, which means he has to be able to follow prey, and also run away from danger.
15. Discuss the state of mind of Rainsford before he lands on the island versus that after he meets the General. What is different? (Especially about how he perceives animal feelings.)
Before Rainsford met the general, he had little sympathy for the animals that he hunts. He figures that animals are incapable of fear, and even if they are, nobody cares. After being hunted by Zaroff, Rainsford discovers true fear, and finds out how animals feel when they are being hunted by humans.
16. How does Connell inspire fear without obvious bloodshed/grotesqueness.
Connell uses a scary character to inspire fear. General Zaroff is a very rich man who hunts humans for fun. He is smart, experienced, and ruthless. This is a deadly combination, and especially in addition to his wealth and power. There is also the big contrast between General Zaroff's house and the way he lives vs. what he does for entertainment (hunt humans).
Short Stories - Literary Devises
Title: The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell
Point of View:
Third person
Protagonist:
What type of character is the Protagonist?
Dynamic
Flat
Antagonist:
General Zaroff
Describe the setting
The setting is somewhere in the Caribbean Sea near/on an island called "Ship-Trap Island". The island has a fake channel that indicated by two light towers. The channel is actually an area with sharp rocks that can easily sink ships. The island is like a jungle, with lots of trees, and on it lives General Zaroff, Ivan, and dozens of unfortunate sailors.
Type of Conflict:
Man vs. Man
Man vs Nature
Describe the main conflict:
The main conflict is Rainsford trying to outsmart or escape General Zaroff. Rainsford has three days to try to survive, and if he survives, then General Zaroff will let him live. During the three days, Rainsford hides, makes traps, and flees away to survive. He eventually beats Zaroff, but instead of wanting to get off the island and away from General Zaroff as fast as he can, he challenges Zaroff to a fight and wins.
Describe the Climax of the Story:
The climax of the story is when Rainsford jumps off the cliff. Rainsford is running away from Zaroff's hounds when he sees the opening in some trees and decides to jump.
How does the Protagonist change over the course of the story?
Rainsford's view towards hunting changes because he was hunted by Zaroff, and he finds out what it feels like to be hunted. Before, he had a cocky attitude, and he said "You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?". This shows his lack of sympathy for the things he hunts.
Describe the relationship between the title and the theme.
The title "The Most Dangerous Game" relates to the theme which is "Violence and Cruelty." The story shows the dark sides of humanity, but there is always hope. The title foreshadows that there is going to be danger and suspense in the story. It also suggests that there is a game, which could be portrayed in two ways.
How does the main conflict help to illustrate the theme?
General Zaroff wanted someone with his own skill to hunt. The hunt had gotten too boring for him. He wanted to be challenged and the only species that could reason was human.
How does the climax help to illustrate the theme?
The climax illustrates the theme which is all about selfishness, cruelty and violence. When Rainsford had to accept Zaroff's challenge, he hadn’t expected to be the hunted. Rainsford felt what it feels to be hunted, he wasn’t going to be shot to death so he risked his life and dove into the dark ocean.
Give examples of each of the following literary terms in the story (use quotes):
Simile:
"He lept back like an ape"
Metaphor:
"He was a monster"
Personification:
"trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht."
Symbol:
Bed: Symbol of victory
Lights: Symbol of safe passageway
Foreshadowing (give both elements):
Foreshadow:
"The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters."
Flashback:
"When I was only five years old he gave me a little gun, specially made in Moscow for me, to shoot sparrows with. When I shot some of his prize turkeys with it ,he did not punish me; he complimented me o my marksmanship."
Irony:
At first, Rainsford is having a conversation with his friend Whitney, and he says that they are lucky to be the hunters and not the huntees. This is ironic because Rainsford falls off the boat and becomes the huntee, and where Rainsford and Whitney were headed, they were probably going to become huntees anyways.
Imagery:
"...but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night."
Describe the relationships between the class theme and the story.
This story illustrates how humans are able to make smart decisions, and also are able to reason and think. These are also the reasons why General Zaroff decides to use humans as game. This doesn't always work so well for Zaroff because humans sometimes give way to their emotions and lose their minds. When people go crazy they tend to do dumb things. This is illustrated by the first day of the hunt, where Zaroff easily finds Rainsford, but lets him go because Rainsford has potential, and the General does not want to waste it by killing him right away. On the first day, Rainsford gives away to his emotions, and underestimates the general's hunting abilities.