“THE INTERLOPERS” by H.H. Munro
Sightlines 9 – p. 33
A. Define each of the following words:
precipitous
affrays
draught
exasperation
wrested
embittered
pestilential
embittered
dispossessed
condolences
unstrung
poaching
interlopers
inheritor
B. Answer each of the following questions in complete sentences.
1. Why is this narrow strip of woodland so jealously guarded by the Gradwitz family?
2. What is poaching? Explain what you think might be significant or possibly even
ironic about the fact that poaching occurs in the story.
3. What personal factors or characteristics keep this feud going?
4. Why do these men not shoot each other when they come face to face?
5. Why does each one seem so sure he will be rescued by his own men?
6. Who makes the first overture of friendship? Explain what this is and how it is
received.
7. How is their feud resolved as they lie pinned beneath the tree?
8. Why is each man hoping that his men will be first to arrive (give their original
reasons and their eventual reasons).
9. What happens when they both call out together?
10. How does the author used irony in his choice of title? Explain fully.
11. Locate two examples of foreshadowing from the story. Give specific proof in the
form of quotations and explain your choices.
12. There is more than one type of conflict found in this story. Identify the types of
conflict evident in the story and explain them using some story details.