Question

The Most Dangerous Game Richard Connell 1 "OFF THERE to the right--somewhere--is a large island," said Whitney. "It's rather a mystery--" 2 "What island is it?" Rainsford asked. 3 "The old charts call it `Ship-Trap Island,"' Whitney replied." A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition--" 4 "Can't see it," remarked Rainsford, trying to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht. 5 "You've good eyes," said Whitney, with a laugh, "and I've seen you pick off a moose moving in the brown fall bush at four hundred yards, but even you can't see four miles or so through a moonless Caribbean night." 6 "Nor four yards," admitted Rainsford. "Ugh! It's like moist black velvet." 7 "It will be light enough in Rio," promised Whitney. "We should make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from Purdey's. We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. Great sport, hunting." 8 "The best sport in the world," agreed Rainsford. 9 "For the hunter," amended Whitney. "Not for the jaguar." 10 "Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. "You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?" 11 "Perhaps the jaguar does," observed Whitney. 12 "Bah! They've no understanding." 13 "Even so, I rather think they understand one thing--fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death." 14 "Nonsense," laughed Rainsford. "This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters." Question 1 Which best expresses the tones evoked by the opening of this short story? Responses A misery and painmisery and pain B laughter and joylaughter and joy C mystery and suspensemystery and suspense D frustration and curiosityfrustration and curiosity Question 2 What are three ways the tones identified in the previous are created? Responses A the use of comedic dialogue to lighten the moodthe use

Answer 1

The opening of the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" evokes a tone of mystery and suspense. This is achieved through the description of the island, the atmospheric setting, and the dialogue and characterization of the characters.

Question 1: The opening of the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" evokes the tone of mystery and suspense (C).

Question 2: The three ways the tone of mystery and suspense is created in the opening of the story are:

1. Description of the island: The mention of the "Ship-Trap Island" with its suggestive name creates a sense of mystery. The fact that sailors have a dread of the place adds to the suspense.

2. Atmosphere and setting: The description of the "dank tropical night" and the "moonless Caribbean night" contributes to the mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere. The thick warm blackness pressing upon the yacht and the comparison to "moist black velvet" create a sense of foreboding.

3. Dialogue and characterization: The conversation between Whitney and Rainsford adds to the mystery and suspense. The exchange about the island, the superstitious dread, and the mention of jaguar hunting in the Amazon builds intrigue and curiosity. The differing viewpoints on how animals perceive fear also adds to the tension and creates curiosity about what will unfold in the story.