"The Most Dangerous Game"

1)  Describe the setting and mood at the beginning of the story. List details that contribute to that mood.

2)  The conversation between Rainsford and Whitney reveals their characters and their philosophies about hunting. How would you describe each man and his attitude about hunting?

3)  While onboard the yacht, Rainsford is startled by an "abrupt sound." From this point to the point just before he first meets General Zaroff, many strange and unusual sounds and sights puzzle Rainsford. Make a list of what puzzles him.

4)  The reader gets a first glimpse of General Zaroff as Rainsford first meets him. Make a list of the details that describe the General. What are your first impressions of the General? What details made you feel this way?

5)  Characters are often revealed by what they say and what they do. As we read the story, keep a chart about the character of Zaroff. You will use this later in a literary essay that you will be writing. There are two opposing sides to Zaroff’s personality. First think of two words you would use to describe him—the two words should be different (or opposite). Then create a chart for these two sides to Zaroff’s personality. On each side of the chart, place examples of what he says and does which demonstrate this part of his personality. Keep this chart throughout the story. We will discuss in class as we go along.

6)  How does Rainsford react to the idea of the "new game" Zaroff has invented? How would you contrast the attitudes of the two men?

7)  Zaroff says, "Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs betaken by the strong."(14) Do you think this is true in today’s world? Give examples.

8)  On pg. 15 General Zaroff says, "It’s a game, you see," To what is he referring? What meaning does the word "game" have, as the General uses it in this passage? How would you describe his attitude towad this game? What are the rules? How else has the word been used in the story?

9)  The General considers hunting his life, so it is important that it remains exciting. The General tells Rainsford that he detects traces of his old complaint—boredom. How does General Zaroff plan to solve this problem? How does Rainsford react?

10)  On pg. 19 it says, "Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror." Explain what this means and the details in the story that make him feel this way.

12)  On pg. 22 Rainsford says, "he knew now how an animal at bay feels." What does this mean? How does this comment show the irony (or contrast) of his original philosophy about hunting as discussed with Whitney at the beginning of the story? (Review question two to help you answer)

13)  Describe what you believe happened at the end.At the story’s end, do you think that Rainsford’s opinions about big-game hunting have changed? Why or why not? Do you think that Rainsford’s experience might have changed him in any significant way?