Exposition --introduces the characters, background

and setting

Examples of Conflicts

Rising Action – 3 details that

summarize the story

Climax-- point where the

protagonist changes; highest point of tension

Falling action -- one detail about what leads to the end of the conflict

Resolution -- the end of the conflict

Setting:Protagonist:Antagonist:

Man Vs. Nature

Man Vs. ManMan Vs. Self

Theme:Point of View:

PLOT

TMDG: Plot Diagram

Setting: Ship-Trap Island

Protagonist -- Rainsford

Antagonist -- Zaroff

Conflicts

• Man Vs. Man

• Man Vs. Nature

• Man Vs. Self

• Rainsford jumps over the cliff to escape from Zaroff

• Rainsford is hunted by Zaroff

•Rainsford swims to Ship-Trap Island after falling off the yacht

Rainsford hides in Zaroff’s room

Rainsford and Zaroff fight

Rainsford kills Zaroff

“The Most Dangerous Game”• Conflict?• What examples can you find of external and internal

conflicts?

Man vs. Nature • Rainsford battles the sea and almost drowns as he

swims for his life to the nearest island which is lined with rocks and is set on a high cliff making it difficult to get to the safety of land. • “The cry was pinched off short as the blood-warm

waters of the Caribbean Sea closed over his head.” (9)  • “… the wash of from the speeding yacht slapped

him in the face and the salt water in his open mouth made him gag and strangle.” (10)• “For a seemingly endless time he fought the sea.”

(10)• Suspense?• Rainsford could have, and probably should have, died in the

sea since it is so treacherously dangerous and the island coastline so forbidding.

Man v. Himself• Rainsford struggles with overcoming his crippling fear of being murdered.  • Rainsford discovers that Zaroff is a skilled hunter, maybe more skilled than he is.

Man v. Himself Con’t• “I must keep my nerve. I must keep my nerve.” (19)•  “… he had plunged along, spurred on by the sharp rowels of something very like panic.” (19) •  “It sent a shudder of cold horror through his whole being.” (20) •  “Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror.” (20) •  “… Rainsford… was awakened by the sound that made him know that he had new things to learn about fear.” (22) •  “Rainsford knew how an animal at bay feels.” (22)

Man v. Himself con’t• Suspense?• Rainsford’s fear was crippling his ability to think

clearly enough to devise plans to get away from Zaroff.

Man v. Man• Rainsford squares off with General Zaroff in a life or death battle. Zaroff is intent upon killing Rainsford, and he has done so to many men so Rainsford knows that he will not hesitate to murder him also. • “Hunting? Good God, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder.” (15)  • “Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess! And the stake is not without value, eh?” (18)

Man v. Man Con’t• Suspense?• Rainsford is the underdog in the chase and readers

typically cheer for the underdog especially if he is the good guy.

Irony-• The difference between appearance and reality• It looks one way but it’s really the opposite• Not just an unexpected event or surprise

• 3 Types:• Situational• Dramatic• Verbal

•What are some examples of irony in MDG?• “We do our best to preserve the amenities of civilization here.” • But he actually hunts men!

Characterization•Characters:•Protagonist v. Antagonist•Round v. Flat•Dynamic v. Static•Motivations- why do they do what they do?

Rainsford v. ZaroffRainsford Zaroff

Friendly Loves to huntBrave Famous hunterAmericanIngenious –clever solutionsDaring, adventurousPublished authorObservant of everythingDoesn’t care how animals feel Practical (down to earth)Logical Excellent hunterStrongThinks well on his feetMoral (thinks killing men is wrong)No qualms about hunting for sportBlack and white world: hunters and huntees  

Seems polite, but actually hunts men—hidden evilLoves to hunt, obsessed by itSort of brave (he uses a gun, but his prey only gets a knife)Experienced hunterRussian (Cossack)Pretty smart, persistentSameNotSameDoesn’t care how animals or humans feelOut in his own little worldSmart, but insane (missing something)SameSameYeahPsychotic killer No qualms about murder Black and white world: hunters and huntees (humans)

Based textual evidence, what becomes of Rainsford?Assertions:

In Richard Connell’s short story, “The Most Dangerous Game,” the hero of the story makes a drastic change by the end. Instead of reporting the psychotic killer, Zaroff,

to the authorities, he takes his place as master of the island, as a hunter of men.

Or

 

In Richard Connell’s short story, “The Most Dangerous Game,” the hero of the story makes a drastic change by

the end. He gives up his lifelong love of hunting and never hunts again after experiencing the terror than

animals feel while being hunted.

Evidence?Never Hunts Again Becomes like Zaroff

He realizes that animals have feelings“Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels” (27)Thinks hunting humans is murderHad to kill Zaroff because he wanted revenge, because someone had to stop this insane killer and Z might escape if R left the island to get help After being hunted, he begins to feel and act like an animal. He has too much empathy now to kill them

Realizes that the fear animals experience while being hunted is terrible

No longer feels that the world is divided into hunters (men) and the hunted (animals) because of becoming the hunted  

He sleeps in Zaroff’s bed: symbolism: master of the island, master of the castle = one who hunts men, following in Zaroff’s manner He continues the game even after he won.  He follows Zaroff’s rules of sleeping in the bed, even after Zaroff is dead. If it was necessity to kill him, he would have left or slept in another bed after killing Zaroff Enjoyed the thrill of the ultimate hunt. Loves to hunt just as much as Zaroff Even though he is afraid while being hunted, he enjoys thinking of ways to stop Zaroff and is so excited when his plans work