The Most Dangerous Game
Richard Connell (1893-1949)
Based on the title of this short story, what do you think it will be about?
______
Richard Connell began his writing career as a sports reporter—at the age of ten! Some authors have a wide variety of jobs before they settle on being a writer. Others seem destined from the start to be writers. Some would say that Connell belongs to that category.
By the time he was sixteen, Connell had graduated from reporting on sports to editing his father’s newspaper in Poughkeepsie, New York. He continued his involvement in journalism at Harvard University, where he was an editor for the Daily Crimson.
After enlisting in the army during World War I, Connell served as editor for his division’s newspaper. The wartime events that Connell reported are echoed in the experiences of Rainsford in “The Most Dangerous Game”, who fought in the trenches of France during World War I.
After the war, Connell changed his focus to fiction writing and movie screenplays. In 1924, he published “The Most Dangerous Game”. The film version was released in 1932 and has been the inspiration for a number of other adventure movies. ****Connell has received two Academy Award nominations for his work.
Before we start reading The Most Dangerous Game, think about each statement. Respond by putting a check in the box next to the statement that represents your opinion. Then, in the shaded area write one sentence that explains your opinion or gives a personal example that supports your answer. We will discuss!
Always / Sometimes / Never / Supporting opinion/thoughtCompetition can get out of hand.
I approve of hunting as a sport.
(sport-recreation or pleasant pastime)
Hunting as a sport causes one to become a more violent person.
Animals know when they’re being hunted.
As you read the assignment for today, make sure you are reading actively. Complete the information below:
- Write two questions that you have from your reading today.
a.
b.
- An inferenceis a conclusion or ‘educated guess’ a reader can make based on information from the reading.Make 2-3 inferences based on details you learn about the characters, the setting or conflict at this point in the story. Include information from the story that helped you make your conclusion or ‘educated guess’.
a.
b.
c.
Rainsford reacts calmly to his situation when he falls overboard. What can you infer about him based on how he
handles himself in a crisis?
Rainsford knows from the position of the sun that it is late in the afternoon. What can you infer about him from this
information?
When Rainsford lifts the door knocker, it creaks as if it had never before been used. What do you infer from this detail?
Based on the description of Ivan’s appearance and behavior. What can you infer about his past from these details? Explain.
What might Rainsford infer about General Zaroff from theway the general treats him?
Support your answer with details or dialogue from the story.