Name:___________________
Date:_________________
Questions on: ​The Interlopers
Answer questions in complete sentences in your notebooks.
1. As you were reading the story, how did you think it would end? What did you think of
the actual ending? Why?
2. What started the feud between the von Gradwitz and Znaeym families? What personal
factors keep the feud going?
3. Why don’t these two men shoot each other when they meet face to face?
4. Do you think that Ulrich and Georg meet by chance (pure luck/coincidence) or by design
(it was inevitable/bound to happen sooner or later)? Explain.
5. How do the characters’ relationship gradually change while they are trapped under the
tree? What causes this change? Explain.
6. List two examples of ​foreshadowing​ that hint that the men will finally give up their
feud.
7. Who are the figures that Ulrich sees coming through the forest at the end? What is
ironic​ ​(​definition on reverse) about the way the story ends?
8. What is an interloper? To whom or what might the title of this story refer?
9. Saki is well known as a master of surprise endings, but he also drops hints to prepare a
careful reader for the surprise that will come.
a) What hints about the ending appear in “The Interlopers?”
b) How well has Saki prepared readers for the ending?
10. What does Ulrich’s statement that “there are better things in life than getting the better
of a boundary dispute” suggest about how the two men have spent their lives? What do
you think the point (theme) of Saki’s story might be?
Literary Term:
Foreshadowing -​ a​ literary device in which an author hints at certain plot developments that
perhaps will come later in the story. Foreshadowing is used to arouse the listener about how
the story will proceed and mentally prepare them for how it will unfold by giving hints about
what is to come.
Vocabulary
Choose any five words from “The Interlopers” that you would like to add to your vocabulary,
and solidify them in your brain by adding them in your notebook/binder.
Name:___________________
Date:_________________
AP Students:
In addition to the questions above, write a one page response making a text-to-world
connection with the story and with an event that is happening (or has happened) in the world.
Compare the story (including characters, themes, conflict, resolution, etc.) to your chosen
event. Use third person POV (no “I”/opinion) in your writing. Make sure to check for
spelling/grammar errors and fluency.
See rubric for expectations:
Knowledge of Story
(2.5 marks)
Knowledge of
Event (2.5 marks)
Thinking –
Connecting event
to story (5 marks)
Communication Writing
Conventions (5
marks)
Application –
Compare/Contrast
Skills (5 marks)
Level 4
Student shows an
extensive
understanding of
the story
Student shows an
extensive
understanding of
the event
Student is able to
make very
thoughtful
connections
between the story
and event
Student uses all
writing conventions
(grammar, spelling)
fluently
Student accurately
and consistently
compares and
contrasts the event
and story
Level 3
Student shows a
good
understanding of
the story
Student shows a
good
understanding of
the event
Student is able to
make good
connections
between the story
and event
Level 2
Student shows an
adequate
understanding of
the story
Student shows an
adequate
understanding of
the event
Student is able to
make adequate
connections
between the story
and event
Level 1
Student shows
difficulty
understanding the
story
Student shows
difficulty
understanding the
event
Student shows
difficulty making
connections
between the story
and event
Student uses most
writing
conventions
(grammar,
spelling) fluently
Student frequently
compares and
contrasts the
event and story
Student uses some
writing conventions
(grammar, spelling)
adequately
Student shows
difficulty when
using writing
conventions
(grammar, spelling)
Student struggles
to compare and
contrast the event
and story
Student adequately
compares and
contrasts the event
and story
Total:
Comments:
/20 marks