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Lesson 1.1 Most Dangerous Game

Andy Gribbin

Created on February 14, 2024

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Lesson 1.1: The Most Dangerous Game

Short Stories

The short story is one of the most popular genres of literature. While every story is different, most include some similarities as well. Let's take a look at the 4 Types of Conflict, as well as the protagonist and antagonist, as we read "The Most Dangerous Game."

Purpose

Conflict
Protagonist
Antagonist

Key Words

Goals

recognize types of conflict in a short story.
understand the difference between a protagonist and antagonist.

By the end of the lesson students will...

Think About It

As you read The Most Dangerous Game, pay special attention to each of the 4 types of conflict.

Preview Questions

Richard Connell

Richard Connell (1893–1949) was an American author best known for his short story "The Most Dangerous Game," a thrilling tale that has captivated readers for generations. Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, Connell displayed a keen interest in literature from an early age, foreshadowing his future success as a writer. Connell's literary journey began during his time at Harvard University, where he honed his writing skills and contributed to various campus publications. Following his graduation, he embarked on a career in journalism, working for prominent newspapers such as The New York American and The Associated Press. His experiences as a journalist greatly influenced his writing style, imbuing his works with a sense of realism and journalistic flair. "The Most Dangerous Game," first published in 1924, remains Connell's most celebrated work. Set against the backdrop of a remote Caribbean island, the story follows the harrowing ordeal of Sanger Rainsford, a seasoned big-game hunter who becomes the prey in a deadly game orchestrated by the enigmatic General Zaroff. In addition to "The Most Dangerous Game," Connell wrote numerous other short stories, essays, and novels throughout his career, though none achieved quite the same level of acclaim. Despite his relatively small literary output, Connell's impact on the realm of suspense and adventure fiction is undeniable, cementing his legacy as a master storyteller.

The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell 1924

In a story, the main character that pushes the plot and has goals is known as the protagonist. The antagonist attempts to prevent the protagonist from accomplishing their goals. While the protagonist is typically "the good guy," they don't always need to be.

Characters

Sanger Rainsford: The protagonist of the story, Rainsford is a skilled hunter who initially sees hunting as a sport devoid of empathy for the prey. He is resourceful, clever, and adapts quickly to the perilous situation he finds himself in when he becomes the hunted.
General Zaroff: The antagonist of the story, General Zaroff is a highly cultured and sophisticated aristocrat who has grown bored with hunting traditional game. He possesses a dark and twisted sense of morality, believing that he has the right to hunt and kill humans for sport. Zaroff is intelligent, cunning, and utterly devoid of empathy.
Ivan: Zaroff's mute and imposing assistant, Ivan is described as a hulking brute with immense physical strength. He serves as Zaroff's enforcer, carrying out his master's orders with ruthless efficiency.
Whitney: Rainsford's friend and hunting companion in the story's opening, Whitney provides a contrasting viewpoint to Rainsford's initial indifference towards the prey. He expresses concern about the hunted animals, foreshadowing the moral dilemma Rainsford will face later in the story.
The Sailors: Briefly mentioned in the story, the sailors of the ship on which Rainsford finds himself at the beginning of the story serve as a means of transporting Rainsford to the island where the hunt takes place.

Vocabulary

Reading Focus

Foreshadowing is a literary device that indicates or hints to readers something that is to follow or appear later in a story. Try to look for foreshadowing throughout The Most Dangerous Game. There are many times when we get hints of what will happen later, specifically through the conversations between characters.

Apprehensive: Worried or frightened that something unpleasant may happen Deliberate: (of a movement) done slowly and carefully Lacerated: To cut skin or part of the body with something sharp