Character and Point of View in “The Most

Warm-Up Dangerous Game,” Part 1

? Lesson
Question

Lesson Goals

Read the first part of “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard

Connell.

Analyze Examine the

. in a story.

Draw conclusions based

on narrative

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 Character and Point of View in “The Most
Warm-Up Dangerous Game,” Part 1

W Words to Know
2K
Fill in this table as you work through the lesson. You may also use the glossary
to help you.

develop to or refine something

the way an author and

characterization

a character

dialogue what characters in a story

a who acts as a to

foil
another character to one of his or her

qualities

point of view tells the story and it is told

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Instruction Character and Point of View in “The Most
Part 1 Dangerous Game,” Part 1
Slide

2 Dialogue

Dialogue is what characters in a story. It is set off by

marks.

• Develops characters

• “You’re wasting water, Dan!” Joe said.

• the setting

• “I love breathing this fresh mountain air,” Lena said.

• Advances the

• “One of our soldiers is being held captive,” reported the captain.

• Creates

• “Don’t go in there, Janey,” whispered the boy.

4 Characterization

is the way a character is and

developed in a story.

Fill in the graphic organizer.

Other
Physical Inner
characters’

thoughts

Characterization

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Instruction Character and Point of View in “The Most
Part 1 Dangerous Game,” Part 1
Slide

4 Types of Characterization

• characterization occurs when the narrator what a

character is like.

• characterization occurs when traits are through

words and actions.

Underline words that tell what Isabelle is like

Direct Indirect

• Isabelle was an outspoken, brave, • “We have to change our strategy, and

and quick-witted member of the fast,” Isabelle told her team in a

team; she had all the necessary huddle, “or we’ll never be able to win

qualities of a leader. the game.”

Indirect Characterization in “The Most Dangerous Game”

Underline words that show how Whitney feels.

"There was no breeze. The sea was as flat as a plate-glass window. We were drawing near the
island then. What I felt was a – a mental chill; a sort of sudden dread."
"Pure imagination," said Rainsford.
–“The Most Dangerous Game,”
Richard Connell

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Instruction Character and Point of View in “The Most
Part 1 Dangerous Game,” Part 1
Slide

7 Narrative Point of View

Narrative point of view is who is telling the story and how it is told.

First person

• Narrator uses “ ” and "we."

• Narrator is a in the story.

• Narration reveals the narrator’s thoughts and feelings.

Second person: Second person is very uncommon in .

• Narrator uses “ .”

• Narrator is not a character in the story.

• Narration reveals just the thoughts and feelings of the character referred

to as “you.”

Third person

• Narrator uses “he,” “she,” and “ .”

• Narrator is a character in the story.

• Narration can reveal than one character’s thoughts and

feelings

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Instruction Character and Point of View in “The Most
Part 1 Dangerous Game,” Part 1
Slide

9 Third-Person Point of View

The third-person point of view can take different forms.

• In the third-person point of view, the narrator is

• In the third-person point of view, the narrator knows the

thoughts and feelings of only character.

Underline the phrases in the passage that show what Rainsford sees and feels.

“Don’t be alarmed,” said Rainsford, with a smile

which he hoped was disarming. “I’m no robber. I fell
off a yacht. My name is Sanger Rainsford of New York
City.”
The menacing look in the eyes did not change. The
revolver pointed as rigidly as if the giant were a
statue. He gave no sign that he understood
Rainsford’s words, or that he had even heard them.
–“The Most Dangerous Game,”
Richard Connell

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Instruction Character and Point of View in “The Most
Part 1 Dangerous Game,” Part 1
Slide

9 Understanding the Effects of Narration

Narration is the part of the story that is to the reader

Like dialogue, :

• develops characters.

• setting.

• advances plot.

• mood.

Underline details in the passage that help to develop Rainsford’s character

An abrupt sound startled him. Off to the right he

heard it, and his ears, expert in such matters, could
not be mistaken. Again he heard the sound, and again.
Somewhere, off in the blackness, someone had fired a
gun three times.
Rainsford sprang up and moved quickly to the rail,
mystified. He strained his eyes in the direction from
which the reports had come, but it was like trying to
see through a blanket.
–“The Most Dangerous Game,”
Richard Connell

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Instruction Character and Point of View in “The Most
Part 1 Dangerous Game,” Part 1
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9 Richard Connell (1893–1949)

Richard Connell is the of “The Most Dangerous Game.”

Richard Connell:

• Was born in Poughkeepsie,

• Worked in

• Served in the army during

• Won the O. Henry Award for “The Most Dangerous Game”

• Turned to screenwriting and was nominated for two Academy Awards

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Instruction Character and Point of View in “The Most
Part 2 Dangerous Game,” Part 1
Slide

2 Character Foils

A foil is a character who acts as a to another character to

one of his or her .

Foils Not foils

• An outgoing girl and her shy best • Two best friends who are both brave

friend • A boy who loves to read and his

• A troublemaking boy and his well- brother, who likes drawing

behaved brother

4 Understanding the Foil

In the story, General Zaroff is Rainsford’s .

Underline the words in the passage that reveal Rainsford feels he is superior to
animals.

“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 the
hunters.”
–“The Most Dangerous Game,”
Richard Connell

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Instruction Character and Point of View in “The Most
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4 Understanding the Foil

Underline words that show a contrast between Zaroff and Rainsford.

"I can't believe you are serious, General Zaroff. This is a grisly joke."
"Why should I not be serious? I am speaking of hunting."
"Hunting? General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder."
The general laughed with entire good nature. He regarded Rainsford quizzically. "I refuse to
believe that so modern and civilized a young man as you seem to be harbors romantic ideas
about the value of human life. Surely your experiences in the war–"
"Did not make me condone cold-blooded murder," finished Rainsford stiffly.
–“The Most Dangerous Game,”
Richard Connell

A foil is a character that the qualities or of

another character. Zaroff’s beliefs and actions help to show Rainsford’s

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 Character and Point of View in “The Most
Summary Dangerous Game,” Part 1

? Lesson How do we understand characters through dialogue and

Question narration?

Answer

Use this space to write any questions or thoughts about this lesson.

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