Short Story Literary Outline and Questionsenglish 9R

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.”