The Most Dangerous Game

Text Dependent Questions

1. From what point of view is this story told? How do you know? How would the story change if told from a
different point of view?

2. On page 227, identify and describe the setting of the selection. Why did the author select this setting? How
would the selection change if the setting were different?

3. What mood is created in the following lines? List six words that support your answer.
"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 `This place has an evil
name among seafaring men, sir.' Then he said to me, very gravely, `Don't you feel anything?'--as if the air
about us was actually poisonous. Now, you mustn't laugh when I tell you this--I did feel something like a
sudden chill.
"There was no breeze. The sea was as flat as a plate-glass window. We were drawing near the island then.
What I felt was a--a mental chill; a sort of sudden dread."
"Pure imagination," said Rainsford.
"One superstitious sailor can taint the whole ship's company with his fear.
"Maybe. But sometimes I think sailors have an extra sense that tells them when they are in danger.
Sometimes I think evil is a tangible thing--with wave lengths, just as sound and light have. An evil place
can, so to speak, broadcast vibrations of evil.

4. Identify a point in the story where there is a change in mood. Compare and contrast using evidence from
the text. Cite the page and paragraph.

5. Explain what this quote reveals about Zaroff. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
"Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs be, taken by the strong. The weak of the
world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my gift? If I wish to hunt,
why should I not? I hunt the scum of the earth: sailors from tramp ships--lassars, blacks, Chinese, whites,
mongrels--a thoroughbred horse or hound is worth more than a score of them.

6. What is Zaroff trying to say in these lines? What literary device would you consider this?
"A rather good lot, I think," observed the general. "They are let out at seven every night. If anyone
should try to get into my house--or out of it--something extremely regrettable would occur to him." He
hummed a snatch of song from the Folies Bergere.

7. Why do you think the general continually mentions being civilized? Explain.

8. Explain the authors purpose in the quote.

Rainsford did not want to believe what his reason told him was true, but the truth was as evident as the sun
that had by now pushed through the morning mists. The general was playing with him! The general was
saving him for another day's sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. Then it was that Rainsford
knew the full meaning of terror.

9. Explain the meaning of this quote.

 The Most Dangerous Game
Text Dependent Questions
Rainsford knew he could do one of two things. He could stay where he was and wait. That was suicide.
He could flee. That was postponing the inevitable. For a moment he stood there, thinking.

10. Why would the general find it difficult to replace Ivan? What qualities does Ivan have that the general
liked/wanted? Why would these be important?

11. What does Rainsford mean when he says that he is still a beast at bay? How would you say this?

12. What caused Rainsford to believe Zaroff knew he was hiding in the tree? Do you think he was right? Give
reasons.

13. How does Zaroff stock his island with 'game'?

14. What happened to General Zaroff at the end of the story?

15. Inspite of being hurt, Zaroff congratulates Rainsford on his 'Malay mancatcher', why?

16. How do we know Rainsford is a fit man?

17. What can be inferred by the following lines?

The general made one of his deepest bows. "I see," he said. "Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for
the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford." . . .
He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.