ELA 9- The Most Dangerous Game
Sanger Rainsford
A world-renowned big-game hunter and the story's protagonist.
In what ways does Zaroff antagonize Rainsford during the hunt?
- Zaroff smiles and blows a smoke ring in the air to show the knows where Rainsford is. -Zaroff also taunts Rainsford about the failure of the Malay mancatcher.
General Zaroff
A Russian Cossack and expatriate who lives on Ship-Trap Island and enjoys hunting men.
Ivan
Cossack and Zaroff's mute assistant. A man of formidable physical stature, Ivan has a waist-length black beard and wears a black uniform.
How does the reader know Zarroff is an intelligent and sophisticated man?
He reads books about hunting that were written in English, French, and Russian and also speaks the languages
How does Whitney explain the troubled mood of the sailors as they near Ship-Trap-Island?
He said that the Captain was anxious, nervous, and wanted to leave as soon as possible.
How does Zaroff stock his island with "game"?
He traps ships and then hunts the people who are survivors of the shipwreck.
Why is the island called Ship-Trap-Island?
It's a mysterious place that scares sailors.
Who does Rainsford meet when he knocks on the castle door?
Ivan, a man who is a server for the owner of mansion.
At the beginning of the short story, what "two classes" does Rainsford believe make up the world?
Rainsford believes that the world is made up of hunters and hunted.
What is the external conflict Rainsford battles when he falls off of the yacht?
Rainsford had to battle for his life against the sea.
What does Rainsford mean when he states that Whitney is hunter and not a philosopher?
Rainsford means that Whitney should simply enjoy what he does and not think about the consequences of hunting
When Rainsford falls off the yacht he hears the noise of a pistol, what does he then do?
Rainsford then swims towards the island because he knows he will not catch the yacht.
Whitney
Rainsford's friend and traveling companion.
Describe the building that Rainsford approached:
The house was huge and tall, stood on cliffs above the sea. It had a tall iron gate, stone steps, and a gargoyle door knocker
How does Rainsford's attitude about hunting differ from Whitney's?
Whitney recognizes the feelings of his prey, but Rainsford has no sympathy for the animals he hunts.
"...The general's eyes had left the ground and were traveling inch by inch up the tree. But the sharp eyes of the hunter stopped before they reached the limb where Rainsford lay; a smile spread over his brown face. Very deliberately he blew a smoke ring into the air; then turned his back..." What details in the description of Zaroff's searching the tree suggest that he knows Rainsford is there?
Zaroff's eyes stop before they reach the branch Rainsford is on. He smiles, blows a smoke ring very deliberately, turns his back and walks away.
palpable
able to be felt; easily perceived
grotesque
having a strange, bizarre design; shocking or offensive
indolently
lazily; idly
scruples
misgivings about something one feels is wrong
Rainsford's role in the short story:
protagonist
naive
unsophisticated
futile
useless; hopeless
