Characters and Inferences "TMDG"

PART A: "Desperately he struck out with strong strokes after the receding lights of the yacht, but he stopped before he had swum fifty feet. A certain cool-headedness had come to him; it was not the first time he had been in a tight place. There was a chance that his cries could be heard by someone aboard the yacht, but that chance was slender and grew more slender as the yacht raced on. He wrestled himself out of his clothes and shouted with all his power."

Based on Rainsford’s reaction to falling off the yacht, what can you infer about Rainsford’s character? Choose the BEST answer choice.

• Weak

• Resilient (ability to mentally or emotionally cope with a crisis.)

• Fragile

• Strong

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

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PART B: What piece of evidence best supports your inference about Rainsford’s character?

• "Desperately he struck out"

• "A certain cool-headedness had come to him; it was not the first time he had been in a tight place. "

• "He wrestled himself out of his clothes"

• "but he stopped before he had swum fifty feet."

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

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CCSS.RL.9-10.2

“But they are men,” said Rainsford, hotly.

“Precisely,” said the general. “That is why I use them. It gives me pleasure. They can reason, after a fashion. So they are dangerous.”

What can be inferred about General Zaroff’s character?

• The General is a cold-blooded murderer.

• The General is hospitable (provides a friendly environment and welcomes to his guests)

• Thrill seeker

• The General has respect for all living things.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Which piece of evidence supports the inference that General Zaroff is a skilled hunter?

• “have I not told you I always mean what I say about hunting? This is really an inspiration. I drink to a foeman worthy of my steel—at last.”

• “Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess! And the stake is not without value, eh?”

• "The general could follow a trail through the woods at night; he could follow an extremely difficult trail; he must have uncanny powers; only by the merest chance had the Cossack failed to see his quarry."

• Following the trail with the sureness of a bloodhound came General Zaroff. Nothing escaped those searching black eyes, no crushed blade of grass, no bent twig, no mark, no matter how faint, in the moss.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

How are the General and Rainsford alike?

• They care deeply about hunting, big game especially.

• They both like to display their kills.

• They agree it's best to hunt a variety of animals.

• They both live for danger.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.9

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

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CCSS.RL.9-10.3

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.

Laughter shook the general. “How extraordinarily droll you are!” he said. “One does not expect nowadays to find a young man of the educated class, even in America, with such a naïve, and, if I may say so, mid-Victorian point of view. It’s like finding a snuffbox in a limousine. Ah, well, doubtless you had Puritan ancestors. So many Americans appear to have had. I’ll wager you’ll forget your notions when you go hunting with me. You’ve a genuine new thrill in store for you, Mr. Rainsford.”

Why does Zaroff think Rainsford is “droll” and “naïve”?

• Zaroff thinks it’s foolish and old-fashioned that Rainsford values human life even after fighting in the war.

• Zaroff thinks it is childish and immature that Rainsford has never tried to kill another human.

• Zaroff judges Rainsford’s American culture because Rainsford feels a religious sense of responsibility.

• Insane Zaroff has been isolated on the island for too long and laughs madly at seeing Rainsford, another civilized man.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

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How does Zaroff view humanity?

Humanity Definition: the human race; human beings collectively.

• He thinks of all other humans besides himself as harmless.

• After the war, he views humanity as a danger that needs to be destroyed completely.

• He does not value human life very highly, and he hunts people he sees as inferior.

• He cares deeply for all people and values human life strongly, which is why he likes hunting people so much.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

Explain how beginning the story with the dialogue between Rainsford and Whitney contributes to both the author’s characterization of Rainsford and the story's mood.

• The beginning is essential for characterizing Rainsford and establishing his views on hunting and on man's place on nature.

• The beginning is not essential as it does not characterize Rainsford or establish his view on hunting and on man's place on nature.

• The beginning dialogue creates an uplifting mood as Rainsford approached the island.

• The beginning dialogue creates a suspenseful mood as Rainsford approached the island.

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CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

"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."

What does the information revealed in this paragraph teach you about Rainsford?

• He is a hunter.

• He is an explorer.

• He is superstitious.

• He is a sailor.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What is an inference?

• An inference is something that you think is true based on information given in the text, as well as what you already know.

• An inference is directly written in the text.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1