““The Most Dangerous The Most Dangerous Game”Game”

Plot FormatCharacterizationThemeMood Tone

Plot FormatPlot Format

ConflictConflict

Man vs. Man

Man vs. Nature

Man vs. Himself

ClimaxClimax

Rainsford hides in Zaroff’s Room

ExpositionExposition

  

Setting—Ship Trap IslandProtagonist—RainsfordAntagonist—ZaroffSituation—Hunter on a yacht 

Rising ActionRising Action

Rainsford swims to Ship Trap IslandRainsford is hunted by ZaroffRainsford jumps over the cliff to escape Zaroff

Falling ActionFalling Action

Rainsford and Zaroff fight

ResolutionResolution

Rainsford kills Zaroff

PlotPlot

Character Analysis of Character Analysis of RainsfordRainsford

Characterization Characterization

Connell uses Indirect Connell uses Indirect Characterization to Characterization to develop Rainsforddevelop Rainsford

Rainsford is an excellent hunterRainsford is an excellent hunter Rainsford has written a book about hunting. Rainsford has written a book about hunting. Rainsford recognizes the cartridge that he Rainsford recognizes the cartridge that he picks up as that of a twenty-two caliber gun.picks up as that of a twenty-two caliber gun.Rainsford sets traps for Zaroff.Rainsford sets traps for Zaroff.Rainsford is the only person to survive the Rainsford is the only person to survive the game with Zaroff.game with Zaroff.

Rainsford doesn’t view hunting animals as murder.

•He says animals don’t understand fear.

•He says that Zaroff is a murderer because he hunts people.

Connell uses indirect Connell uses indirect characterization to characterization to

develop Zaroffdevelop Zaroff

Zaroff is an excellent hunterZaroff is an excellent hunterNo one has survived his game so far.No one has survived his game so far.He is no longer challenged by hunting animals.He is no longer challenged by hunting animals.He has read lots of books about hunting.He has read lots of books about hunting.

Zaroff is sophisticated and refined.

•He has read books about hunting that were written in English, French and Russian.

•He hums a tune from an opera.

•He lives in a well decorated Chateau (oaken panels, high ceiling, vast refectory table).

•He serves a sophisticated, refined meal to Rainsford.

Connell uses direct Connell uses direct characterization to characterization to

develop Zaroffdevelop Zaroff

Zaroff is either evil or animalisticZaroff is either evil or animalisticthick black eyebrows and pointed black thick black eyebrows and pointed black moustache moustache black, bright eyes at one pointblack, bright eyes at one pointdead, black eyes at another pointdead, black eyes at another pointcurious, red-lipped smile curious, red-lipped smile

Rainsford is motivated by Rainsford is motivated by the desire to stay alivethe desire to stay alive

If Zaroff catches him he will If Zaroff catches him he will be killed.be killed.

Zaroff is motivated by the Zaroff is motivated by the desire to be challenged in desire to be challenged in

the huntthe hunt

Animals had ceased to Animals had ceased to challenge him.challenge him.

Rainsford had presented the Rainsford had presented the best challenge yet.best challenge yet.

Rainsford is a dynamic Rainsford is a dynamic charactercharacter

At the beginning he believes that animals At the beginning he believes that animals don’t feel any fear.don’t feel any fear.

Once he is hunted and feels fear he says he Once he is hunted and feels fear he says he knows how animals feel.knows how animals feel.

When he confronts Zaroff at the end Rainsford When he confronts Zaroff at the end Rainsford tells Zaroff that he is still a beast at bay -- he tells Zaroff that he is still a beast at bay -- he

has adopted an animal mentalityhas adopted an animal mentality..

**Important Slide****Important Slide**

Universal ThemeUniversal Theme

In order to fully understand In order to fully understand others, we must first walk in others, we must first walk in

their shoes.their shoes.

The mood is suspenseful The mood is suspenseful

Name of the island -- Ship-TrapName of the island -- Ship-Trapall the references to darknessall the references to darknessthe chasethe chase

Connell’s tone is Connell’s tone is straightforward and non-straightforward and non-

judgmental judgmental

Connell doesn’t show bias toward Rainsford or Connell doesn’t show bias toward Rainsford or Zaroff.Zaroff.He doesn’t judge Zaroff’s game or Rainsford’s He doesn’t judge Zaroff’s game or Rainsford’s opinion of hunted animals.opinion of hunted animals.He doesn’t comment on the events of the He doesn’t comment on the events of the story.story.He chooses a third person limited point of view He chooses a third person limited point of view and remains within that context.and remains within that context.

Info to know for quizInfo to know for quiz

The first conflict Rainsford facesThe first conflict Rainsford faces How many traps and what kind of How many traps and what kind of

traps Rainsford sets for Zarofftraps Rainsford sets for Zaroff What quality does Zaroff want in his What quality does Zaroff want in his

preyprey How long does Rainsford have to How long does Rainsford have to

survivesurvive What is the final conflict in the storyWhat is the final conflict in the story