“The Most Dangerous Game” Name______

by Richard Connell Date______Hr._____

Exploration Worksheet

Setting

Beginning Middle End

Time
Place
Mood

Plot-Conflict

1. Sanger Rainsford vs. General Zaroff: When is this conflict first introduced to the reader? How does this conflict progress throughout the short story? Internal or external?

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2. General Zaroff’s morals vs. Rainsford’s morals: When is this conflict first introduced to the reader? How does this conflict progress throughout the short story? Internal or external?

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3. Rainsford vs. nature: When is this conflict first introduced to the reader? How does this conflict progress throughout the short story? Internal or external?

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Plot Progression

Which of the above conflicts is the main conflict? ______vs. ______

Briefly list the top 5 events that lead to the resolution of the main conflict.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Resolution:

Plot Synopsis (summary)

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______

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Author’s Style: Suspense/Foreshadowing

When Rainsford tells Whitney that the “... world is made up of two classes-the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are the hunters”(40), the reader could predict that ______which adds to the suspense because ______.

When General Zaroff says, “ I hunt more dangerous game”(47) to Rainford, the reader could predict that ______, which adds to the suspense because ______.

Author’s Style: Irony

Situational Irony: When what happens is the opposite of what is expected to happen.

Example: It is ironic that a man who is afraid of censorship should go to work for the

government censorship office.

1. What is ironic about General Zaroff’s beautiful china, the best silverware, fine wine, and richly

decorated chateau? ______

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2. What is ironic about Rainsford being hunted?

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Verbal Irony: When the character expresses something with words that carry the opposite

meaning.

Example: In the middle of a blizzard, the character says: “What a beautiful day!”

1. What is ironic about General Zaroff’s statements in the following conversation:

“Suppose he refuses to be hunted?” (Rainsford)

“Oh, said General Zaroff, “I give him his option, of course. He need

not play the game if he doesn’t wish to. If he does not wish to hint, I turn him over

to Ivan. Ivan once had the honor of serving as the official knouter (one who whips

criminals)...he has his own ideas of sport...”

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Character Analysis

Rainsford is a dynamic / static (circle one) character because ______

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General Zaroff is a dynamic / static character (circle one) because ______

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Methods of Characterization
Character:______

Character’s actions: Conclusions:

Character’s thoughts and words: Conclusions:

Other character’s thoughts and comments about Conclusions:

The character:

Character’s physical abilities: Conclusions:

Theme

Theme is the perception about life or human nature that the author is trying to convey to the reader. What events or ideas from the story develop each theme?

1. Man is always searching for a greater challenge/risk.

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2. Man cannot truly understand another’s plight until he has experienced it himself.

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3. The strong will exploit the weak if given the chance.

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