The Most Dangerous Quiz

Answer: Collier's

"Collier's" magazine began publication in 1886. The other three choices do not usually publish fictional stories.

Richard Connell (1893-1949) worked as a journalist and also wrote a handful novelist. His enduring legacy, however, is as a short story writer. His over 300 published short stories appeared in popular magazines of the day such as "The Saturday Evening Post". His most famous story, "The Most Dangerous Game", originally appeared in "Collier's" in January 1924. It has also been published with the title "The Hounds of Zaroff". He was also a graduate of Harvard University and served in the US Army during World War One.

Answer: Hunting

'"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. Do you think we've passed that island yet?"'

The English class that wrote the original quiz said: "An experienced yachter falls off his boat--We don't think so!"

Although the English class is not necessarily wrong, the reasoning that connects their statement with the quote from book may not seem clear at first. Rainsford (the main character)--as is shown a number of times in the story--has spent a great deal of time as a hunter--of a variety of animals in a variety of locales. Whether he does so as an independently wealthy man pursuing a significant hobby or as a source of making a living (he has published at least one book about his experiences) is less clear. The story opens with him having a conversation with another hunter--named Whitney--while they are passengers on a ship taking them to another hunting expedition in South America. While alone, he hears a gunshot and tries to see from whence it came. Trying to see better, he climbs onto a deck rail and from there falls into the water.

Answer: Cossacks

'"He is a Cossack," said the general, and his smile showed red lips and pointed teeth. "So am I."'

The English class that wrote the original question they wrote mentioned, "They had pointy teeth". As for me, the combination of red lips and pointed teeth suggest a vampire.

Fortunately for Rainsford, when he fell from the ship into the water he was relatively close to an island--close enough that he could swim for the shore. Not knowing what he would find, he encounters the two permanent inhabitants: General Zaroff and his servant Ivan.

The Cossacks are an ethnic group that historically occupied the steps of Ukraine and Russia. They had a strong tradition of military service and often had a certain amount of autonomy in the areas they inhabited.

Answer: Deaf and mute

'"Ivan is an incredibly strong fellow," remarked the general, "but he has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. A simple fellow, but, I'm afraid, like all his race, a bit of a savage."'

The English class said, "Deaf and he could hunt?" in the original question they wrote.

I suppose not being able to hear could have been a disadvantage for Ivan as a hunter. Zaroff also mentions that Ivan is not intelligent, though that may be the snobbery of an aristocrat. However, no problem is mentioned with his sight and Ivan's tall, broad build suggests physical strength.

Also of importance to the story is that since Ivan is mute we never get a direct statement of his thoughts and ideas. His actions suggest loyalty or at least obedience to Zaroff and cruel behavior to others.

Answer: Ship-Trap Island

'"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--"'

The English class that wrote the original question said that, "the sinking of ships was NOT accidental". There seems to be an implication in the story that Zaroff plays a role in the sinkings in order to ensure a steady supply of "unwilling" participants in his game.

Whitney (Rainsford's friend) suggests that the island has a distinctly negative reputation. The sailors--including Nielsen, the captain commanding the ship they are on--hold the island in dread. He even suggests that hypothetical cannibals would not want to visit the place. The island is described as somewhere in the Caribbean Sea.

Answer: Ennui

'"As for me," sighed the general, "I do not feel so well. I am worried, Mr. Rainsford. Last night I detected traces of my old complaint." To Rainsford's questioning glance the general said, "Ennui. Boredom."'

The original question by the English class said, "Zaroff DID use the sailors as filet mignon for his dogs, though".

I did replace some of the original incorrect answers here, as I didn't think they sounded plausible. Zaroff was a long-time and passionate hunter who gradually grew tired of hunting animals since there was no longer a challenge. What the animals lacked, he felt, was reason--to move beyond mere instinct. Humans as prey would be able to think and provide more of a challenge.

Rainsford is horrified by Zaroff's disregard of human life. Both Zaroff and Rainsford had previously served in the army and presumably had to consider the possibility that they would need to kill the enemy. Rainsford seems to consider Zaroff's hunt to be not only cruel but without purpose. It is interesting that earlier, when Whitney asked him if a prey animal such as a jaguar would feel fear or any other emotion, Rainsford dismissed the possibility. Once Rainsford is considering a human as prey, though, he seems to view it somewhat differently.

Answer: Burmese tiger pit

'"You've done well, Rainsford," the voice of the general called. "Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best dogs. Again you score. I think, Mr. Rainsford...''

The original question by the English class asked what sort of character Rainsford was. The correct answer was "round and dynamic". To be honest, that sounds like an answer that was mentioned in the literature textbook or teacher's lecture.

Before the trap captured the general's dog, Rainsford had slightly injured the general with the Malay mancatcher, which seems to impress Zaroff.

Answer: Stabbed to death

'His pursuers had stopped. But the hope that was in Rainsford's brain when he climbed died, for he saw in the shallow valley that General Zaroff was still on his feet. But Ivan was not. The knife, driven by the recoil of the springing tree, had not wholly failed.'

Rainsford has been given a knife by Zaroff to be used as Zaroff hunts him. He has used it more than once during the hunt. His final use of it is something that he had learned in Uganda. While Rainsford's primary target may have been the general, the death of Ivan would still weaken Rainsford's enemy. The original quiz by the English class did not include any interesting information with this question.

Answer: Death swamp

'"I suggest, too, that you avoid the big swamp in the southeast corner of the island. We call it Death Swamp. There's quicksand there".'

The general may feel he is giving Rainsford a fighting chance by warning him about the swamp. He indicates that others have ventured into there in the past. Rainsford does reach the swamp during the chase but recognizes it and is not caught by it. The original quiz written by the English class did not include any interesting information.

Answer: Rainsford

'The general made one of his deepest bows. "I see," he said. "Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford." . . . He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.'

The original question in the quiz written by the English class asked the reader to identify that the story did not have falling action. Rather than ask the reader to identify that term, however, I hoped the reader who knew that Rainsford won the battle would also realize the story pretty much ended there.

Would the story be better if there was something beyond the ending that is there? Would you want to know if Rainsford rescued prisoners from the island or that he encountered Whitney again? That is a decision that you will have to make for yourself.