Name ______Date ______
Short Story Literary Outline and QuestionsEnglish 9R
Short Story Outline
I. Title: “The Most Dangerous Game”
II. Author: Richard Connell
III. Setting:
Time: 1920’s; a little over three days
Place: Caribbean Island- Ship Trap Island
Physical description: dense jungle; primitive; uninhabited except for Zaroff and Ivan
who live in a lavish chateau
IV. Plot:
Sailing on a yacht to participate in a hunt, Rainsford reveals he does not believe that
animals can reason or experience the sense of fear. Rainsford falls off a yacht and swims to the
island. There, he meets Zaroff, who seems like a sophisticated and gracious host. They discuss
hunting and Zaroff reveals his new quarry is man, since he has grown bored of hunting
animals. He forces Rainsford to participate in this deadly game of hunting.
The hunt begins and Rainsford runs from Zaroff. Realizing that he must use strategy to survive, Rainsford devises and executes three successful traps, which prove victorious. However, Rainsford surprises Zaroff in his room and kills him.
V. Characterization:
Rainsford: skilled hunter and author who initially believes animals cannot reason or feel. He is disgusted by Zaroff’s game. He uses strategy and instinct to survive game.
General Zaroff: evil genius, cosmopolite, looks an aristocrat used to giving orders, hunts men for sport, believes “life is for the strong…”
VI. Conflict and Resolution:
Type: man vs. man: Rainsford vs. Zaroff
Develop: Rainsford must survive Zaroff’s barbaric game of life and death
Resolve: At first, Rainsford’s fear makes him run from Zaroff, but then he realizes that
he must use strategy to win the game. He plans and executes three traps. He
kills Zaroff.
Type: man vs. self: Zaroff vs. his need for a challenge
Develop: Zaroff has grown bored with hunting animals
Resolve: Uses man as quarry, because man can reason and give Zaroff
a better chase
VII. Theme
- Appearance versus reality: things are not always what they seem
- Survival of the fittest: “Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and if
need be taken by the strong”
VIII. Literary Elements and Techniques:
Pt. of view: 3rd person
Foreshadowing: mystery and superstitions associated with Ship-Trap Island, island has a bad reputation, Rainsford is a celebrated hunter, he reasons under pressure,
scream of unknown animal, evidence of blood, three gun shots
Situational irony: Rainsford and Zaroff’s role reversal
Zaroff gets exciting and challenging hunt, but leads to his death
Verbal irony: “This is a most restful spot”
“We do our best to preserve the amenities of civilization here.”