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. Man Man 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. Zaroff RainsfordZaroff Friendly Loves to hunt Brave Famous hunter American Ingenious –clever solutions Daring, adventurous Published author Observant of everything Doesn’t care how animals feel Practical (down to earth) Logical Excellent hunter Strong Thinks well on his feet Moral (thinks killing men is wrong) No qualms about hunting for sport Black and white world: hunters and huntees Seems polite, but actually hunts men—hidden evil Loves to hunt, obsessed by it Sort of brave (he uses a gun, but his prey only gets a knife) Experienced hunter Russian (Cossack) Pretty smart, persistent Same Not Same Doesn’t care how animals or humans feel Out in his own little world Smart, but insane (missing something) Same Yeah Psychotic 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 AgainBecomes like Zaroff He realizes that animals have feelings “Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels” (27) Thinks hunting humans is murder Had 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