“The Most Dangerous Game”
By: Richard Connell
Journal
“Precisely,” said the general. “That is why I use
them. It gives me pleasure. They can reason,
after a fashion. So they are dangerous.”
What is the general referring to? What is
Rainsford reaction to the general’s hobby?
Freytag’s Pyramid (pg. 9)
Freytag’s Pyramid for “Most
Dangerous Game”
With your partners, draw what Freytag’s Pyramid
look like for “Most Dangerous Game.”
Don’t forget to include all the aspects: exposition,
rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.
Journal (for homework)
Imagine you are Rainsford and you have just
gone to your room after dinner with General
Zaroff.
Write a journal entry from Rainsford’s perspective
about your feelings about Zaroff and what you
learned about his favorite hobby. What do you
think will happen tomorrow?
Use sensory details and descriptions in your
journal entry.
Journal
Did Rainsford do the right thing at the end of the
story? Defend or criticize his act and explain
your reasons.
Journal: Manhunters
•
How is the discussion between Dennis, Mac,
and Frank similar or different with the one
between General Zaroff and Rainsford? Give
specifics from the clip and the story.
Protagonist vs. Antagonist
Protagonist = the leading character in a movie,
novel, short story, etc.
Antagonist = a person who actively opposes or is
hostile to someone or something
Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist
in “The Most Dangerous Game?”
Character Foil
Character Foil = a minor character whose
character traits highlight those of the main
character
Ex: “Big Bang Theory” = Penny is the foil to
Sheldon
Ex: Romeo & Juliet = Mercutio is the foil to
Romeo
Ex: “Most Dangerous Game”: Whitney is the
foil to Rainsford
Close Read
Pg. 22-23: “We should have some good
hunting...The world is made of two classes - the
hunters and the huntees.”
What does this show about Rainsford? How does
the character of Whitney help us as the readers
better understand Rainsford?
Character Foil
What other instances is Whitney a foil for
Rainsford?
Journal (for homework)
“He could stay where he was and wait. That was
suicide. He could flee. That was postponing the
inevitable.” (pg. 38)
As the reader, what do we learn about
Rainsford’s options? What could he be feeling?
Journal
How did the game end? What do you think
Zaroff meant when he thought “the American
hadn’t played the game?”
Close Read
Pg. 29-30: “The general smiled the quiet smile of
success...Hunting? Good God, General Zaroff,
what you speak of is murder.”
Do you agree with Rainsford or Zaroff? Explain
your reasoning.
Characterization
How does Connell describe General Zaroff?
With your partners, draw a picture and write a
short description based on the adjectives,
specific words that Connell uses to describe
Zaroff.
Journal
•
For the characterization activity, what kinds of
things did you look for when creating your
Zaroffs?
•
What kinds of quotes did you look for?
Foreshadowing
Connell uses foreshadowing to elude to the
reader what will happen between Rainsford and
Zaroff.
With your partner, find 3 examples (quotes and
page numbers) from story.