The Most Dangerous Game

1. The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell

2. Initial Setting • Caribbean Sea, then Ship Trap Island • The reputation of the island has been built. • “Sailors have a curious dread of the place.” • According to Captain Nielsen: “This place has an evil name among sea-faring men.”

3. Characters • Protagonist – Rainsford • Clearly an accomplished hunter; feels the world is made up of 2 class, “the hunters and the huntees.” • Whitney • A fellow hunter of Rainsford’s

4. Rainsford falls overboard and swims to shore • Rainsford has had a rough time getting to shore safely. • “What perils that tangle of trees and underbrush might hold for him did not concern Rainsford just then. All he knew was that he was safe from his enemy, the sea.” • Rainsford wrongly perceives the sea as his enemy.

5. Upon waking on Ship Trap Island… • Rainsford is hungry • “Where there are pistol shots, there are men. Where there are men, there is food.” • He sees blood stained brush • Also notices foot prints made by hunting boots • Follows lights, which lead him to a chateau

6. New Characters Introduced • Ivan • “In his hand the man held a long-barreled revolver, and he was pointing it straight at Rainsford’s heart.” • Is a stereotypical character; he is a big, dumb, goon whose job is to kill unwanted visitors/trespassers • Ivan is flat and static

7. New Characters Introduced (cont.) • General Zaroff • A well-read hunter who recognizes Rainsford’s name as the author of a book about hunting snow leopards • Interesting character: as we read, we’ll find him to be static, yet round • Zaroff seems to have refined tastes, is very intelligent, and is quite hospitable to his guest.

8. Over dinner, the conversation turns to hunting… • Zaroff claims to have stocked his island with the biggest game possible • Rainsford is intrigued and wants to know to which type of game Zaroff is referring. • Zaroff begins relating his stories of hunting experiences and says… • “Hunting was beginning to bore me!” • “It had become too easy. I always got my quarry. Always.” • Zaroff needed to invent a new animal • “It must have courage, cunning, and above all, it must be able to reason.”

9. Rainsford’s Reaction • Rainsford finally understands what Zaroff is getting at… • “Hunting? General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder.”

10. How did Ship Trap Island get its name? • Zaroff pushes a button from inside the chateau, which turns on lights indicating a safe channel for approaching boats. • In reality the channel is filled with jagged rocks, which destroy the boats. • The sailors are forced to swim to shore and become Zaroff’s prey.

11. Zaroff explains the procedures he follows… • His “guests” receive: • A supply of food • An excellent hunting knife • A 3 hour start • If the quarry avoids Zaroff for 3 days, the quarry is the winner • Zaroff claims he has never lost • Those who refuse to hunt get turned over to Ivan

12. Rainsford attempts to get some sleep… • The next day, Rainsford informs Zaroff that he’d like to leave the island. • Rainsford must be hunted before he may leave the island; Zaroff assures him that if Rainsford wins, he will be taken to the mainland. • Do you believe this?

13. The Hunt Begins • Rainsford gets through the first night without seeing Zaroff • As he hides in a tree, Zaroff stands at the bottom. • Clearly Zaroff knows Rainsford is there. • Why doesn’t Zaroff go after Rainsford at this point?

14. Rainsford realizes it’s time to step up his game… • Trap #1 – Malay Mancatcher • A dead tree is resting on a living one; a bough is used as a trigger; once disturbed, the dead tree falls hitting Zaroff on the shoulder. • Trap #2 – Burmese Tiger Pit • Sharpened stakes are arranged at the bottom of a pit; the mouth of the pit is covered with weeds and twigs; claims one of Zaroff’s dogs. • Trap #3 – Ugandan Knife Trap • Rainsford tied his knife to a springing sapling; the sapling is tied back with a grapevine; kills Ivan.

15. Zaroff and his dogs are in pursuit… • Rainsford has no choice but to jump into the sea. • Zaroff returns to his chateau and enjoys his dinner; however, Zaroff is disappointed. • Ivan would be hard to replace • Rainsford had escaped him • Zaroff heads to bed and finds Rainsford hiding in the bed curtains.

16. The Final Confrontation • “One of us is to furnish repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford…” • The reader must imagine what this fight was like. • The reader can be sure that Rainsford is victorious. • “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.”