Friday, April 17, 2015

What is the mood in "The Most Dangerous Game"?

First to clarify the difference between tone and mood. The tone is the author's attitude, stated or implied, toward a subject. 

The mood is the feeling of the characters and the emotions of the reader. They include suspense, anxiety, fear, terror.

#1 - Falling off the yacht

"He struggled up to the surface and tried to cry out, but the wash from the speeding yacht slapped him in the face and the salt water in his open mouth made him gag and strangle."

#2 - When he is swimming toward the shore he hears:

"Rainsford heard a sound. It came out of the darkness, a high screaming sound, the sound of an animal in an extremity of anguish and terror."

#3 - When he comes up to the house, opens the door:

"The first thing Rainsford's eyes discerned was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen--a gigantic creature, solidly made and black bearded to the waist. In his hand the man held a long-barreled revolver, and he was pointing it straight at Rainsford's heart."

#4 - When he finds out Zaroff hunts humans:

"My dear fellow," said the general, "there is one that can." "But you can't mean--" gasped Rainsford."

#5 - After a long night of being hunted by Zaroff:

"The general was playing with him! The general was saving him for another day's sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror."

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