Close Reading: Most Dangerous Game
Thesis: The author uses imagery, diction and foreshadowing on the characters’ dialogues and narration to evoke a sense of curiosity accompanied with the fear of discovering the truth. All of that is then inserted into the readers’ minds to describe the setting and also the characters’ personalities.
Topic Sentence #1: Imagery was used in many parts of the story to create a spooky and eerie atmosphere.
Example:
1. “…dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.”
2. “…moonless Caribbean night.”
3. “‘this place has a reputation – a bad one.’”
Explanation: By using phrases in the example, the author creates an atmosphere of eeriness and evil. The imagery causes the reader to feel as if they are actually inside the story and on the boat. They can actually feel the darkness “pressing into them”, just as the author has written. For example, by reading the phrases put in the story, I can suddenly feel a cold chill and imagine the sound of animals and the sea at night. The Caribbean is also well known for its mysteries, and by having the second phrase the author can insert more fear and curiosity into the readers. The reader’s thoughts are then confirmed when one of the characters say that the place has a bad reputation, and that even the sailors are strangely scared of it in example number three.
Topic Sentence #2: The author uses diction and choice of words said by the two characters to explain their different personalities.
Example:
1. “It’s rather a mystery--”
“What island is it?” Rainsford asked.
2. “…Some superstition--”
“Can’t see it,” remarked Rainsford…
3. “For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.”
“Don’t talk rot, Whitney,” said Rainsford. “…Who cares how a jaguar feels?”
4. “…I did feel something like a sudden chill…There was no breeze…what I felt was a--a mental chill; a sort of sudden dread.”
“Pure imagination,” said Rainsford.
Explanation: A reader (when reading
Topic Sentence #1: Imagery was used in many parts of the story to create a spooky and eerie atmosphere.
Example:
1. “…dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness in upon the yacht.”
2. “…moonless Caribbean night.”
3. “‘this place has a reputation – a bad one.’”
Explanation: By using phrases in the example, the author creates an atmosphere of eeriness and evil. The imagery causes the reader to feel as if they are actually inside the story and on the boat. They can actually feel the darkness “pressing into them”, just as the author has written. For example, by reading the phrases put in the story, I can suddenly feel a cold chill and imagine the sound of animals and the sea at night. The Caribbean is also well known for its mysteries, and by having the second phrase the author can insert more fear and curiosity into the readers. The reader’s thoughts are then confirmed when one of the characters say that the place has a bad reputation, and that even the sailors are strangely scared of it in example number three.
Topic Sentence #2: The author uses diction and choice of words said by the two characters to explain their different personalities.
Example:
1. “It’s rather a mystery--”
“What island is it?” Rainsford asked.
2. “…Some superstition--”
“Can’t see it,” remarked Rainsford…
3. “For the hunter,” amended Whitney. “Not for the jaguar.”
“Don’t talk rot, Whitney,” said Rainsford. “…Who cares how a jaguar feels?”
4. “…I did feel something like a sudden chill…There was no breeze…what I felt was a--a mental chill; a sort of sudden dread.”
“Pure imagination,” said Rainsford.
Explanation: A reader (when reading