The Most Dangerous Game – Literary Analysis Prompts:
1. Authors use various literary techniques to create mood. In your analysis, discuss three ways Richard Connell establishes mood in “The Most Dangerous Game.” Give specific examples from the story to support what you say.
2. “The Most Dangerous Game” is full of conflict – both internal and external. In your analysis, discuss, at least, three types of conflict one sees in the story. Give specific examples from the text to support the conflicts you discuss.
3. Several universal themes are evident in “The Most Dangerous Game.” Choose one of the universal themes listed on the back of this paper (or come up with one of your own). Discuss three elements in the story that support this theme, i.e. does the mood support the theme? Does the conflict support the theme? Do characters support the theme? Do words, phrases, dialogue support the theme? Does the setting support the theme? Give specific examples from the text for each element you discuss.
For a challenge…
4. There are similarities between the narrator from “The Tell-Tale Heart” and General Zaroff from “The Most Dangerous Game.” At the same time, there are differences. In your thesis, determine the mental condition of each character, i.e. do you believe them both to be insane? Do you believe them both to be purely evil? Do you believe one to be insane and one to be simply evil? Compare and contrast these two characters, citing ways they are similar and ways they are different with intent of proving your thesis. Give specific examples from each story to support what you say.
Universal Themes from “The Most Dangerous Game”
ü There is a fine line between animal and human…instinct and reason.
ü A heart of darkness can beat inside the most civilized human being.
ü Even in the darkest hour, there is always a glimmer of hope.
ü Things are not always what they appear to be.
ü First impressions are often wrong.
ü Goodness triumphs over evil.