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Elements of the most dangerous game
The most dangerous game richard connell analysis
Elements of the most dangerous game
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If you were being chased through the jungle by someone with a heater wouldn't you fight back? In the story The Most Dangerous Game there was a man named Rainsford being hunted on an island by a crazy General. he would hunt again after that experience because he has hunted his life and has seen both sides of it and seemed to enjoy it. First off, Rainsford will hunt again because he has hunted as the predator for so long and was now the prey. When the general says that he “read[s] all books on hunting in English, French, and Russian”(Connell 24). He also adds that he read Rainsford’s book on hunting “snow leopards” in the mountains so the general knows who Rainsford is and that shows that Rainsford must enjoy hunting so much that he writes books on it (Connell 24). Later on, when the general forces Rainsford to be hunted by him, Rainsford sets a trap for him. After he …show more content…
When Rainsford arrived on the island he saw a bunch of lights that came from “one [huge house]”, which tells you that the island must be more than big enough to hunt and live on for it to have a mansion on it(Connell 22). Before he arrives on the island he was talking to Whitney on the boat. When they were talking Rainsford says to him “who cares how the Jaguar feels” and that tells that he doesn't care how the prey feels and would force anything to be hunted(Connell 19). After he had finished with the generals “game”, he had found a way to sneak into the general's house and get into the general's room. When Rainsford came out from behind his hiding place he ended up killing the general and then slept in the general's bed claiming that “he had never slept in a better bed”(Connell 36). Since he went and killed the general and then slept in the dead man's bed it seems that Rainsford is no longer afraid to kill animals or
Where does the line of sport and murder intersect in hunting? Is it when the species being hunted is able to reason? Or is it when the species being hunted looks just like the hunter? In both movie and film, we see a man fight for his life and another going against all codes of ethics. While Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game” and Ernest B. Schoedsack’s film adaptation both have several similarities, the difference are also apparent in each respective media.
Rainsford is known for his extravagant hunting skills, even General Zaroff speaks of Rainsford as is if he has inspired him to become a hunter. Rainsford talks about hunting with passion, while he is speaking to Whitney he tells her it’s “the best sport in the world” (19). Rainsford has no guilt when he kills animals, he even tells Whitney that it’s nonsense when she mention the jaguars have feeling. But Rainsford shows immediate disgust when Zaroff brings up his hunting of humans, “hunting, great heavens, what you speak of is murder” (26). This only the first of many times that he reacts with great displeasure.
If one were to put another character in Rainsford’s position such as Whitney, it is likely that the story would not have ended the way it did. A main reason as to why Rainsford is the dynamic character he is, and can survive such a harsh game, is because he is very self-assured. While passing Ship-Trap Island, all the sailors, aside from Rainsford, are a little anxious because of rumors heard about the island. Rainsford believes that, “one superstitious sailor can taint the whole ships company with his fear,” (page 56). During a firm discussion with Whitney about hunting, Rainsford boldly argues how jaguars are just here to be hunted. Ironically, by the end of the story he thinks just the opposite. The first time he encounters General Zaroff, Rainsford earns the General’s trust instantly because he shows his independence and confidence to him. As he hears about the game, Rainsford does not express obvious fear toward General Zaroff. Being self-assured helps Rainsford to be the strong hunter he is.
In short, he learns how it feels to be utterly insignificant against a clearly superior foe. One way Rainsford is impacted by the theme “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” is that he is harshly taught the way of life that a hunted animal has to follow. He builds elaborate traps to defend himself, he runs desperately in an attempt to escape. He feels that his actions are entirely futile when his enemy finds him, yet he is still forced to keep his sanity and not just simply give up. This is a prime example of the toll the story’s theme takes on its protagonist. A second generalized way the theme affects Rainsford is that it teaches him the true meaning of fear. When the general sees Rainsford for the first time, Rainsford is petrified with fear, and reflects on this when Zaroff leaves, realizing exactly what Zaroff was actually doing; toying with him. A third and final way that Rainsford is impacted by the theme is that he realizes in the end how it is wrong to kill without remorse. From his first meeting with Zaroff, Rainsford sees the error in the general’s ways, namely his lack of morality or reason. He therefore strives not to sink to the general’s level and instead comes to the realization that killing is not always
In the short story, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, the protagonist, Rainsford, is a smart, clever, resilient man who keeps a cool head in stressful and dangerous situations. Rainsford is not allowed to leave the island he washes up on after he falls off the yacht he was traveling on, because the mentally disturbed general wants to hunt people with Rainsford. Rainsford makes a deal with the general to win his freedom. If Rainsford can evade Zaroff for three nights, then Rainsford is free to leave the island. During the hunt, Rainsford must think quickly and be resourceful in order to stay alive. Rainsford is an extremely experienced hunter who writes books about his hunting experiences. When Rainsford is running from the
He has successfully eluded General Zaroff. He stands in Zaroff 's bedroom where both men have no weapons except their bare fists. Rainsford has struggled with the relationship between the hunter and the huntee throughout the whole story. He has also floundered with what he believes to be right and wrong. The example of where he reaches a conclusion about right and wrong would be after the battle in the bedroom. "He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided" (236). This is when we know Rainsford has overpowered the evil madman. He has killed General Zaroff which he knows is wrong, but he also understands if he hadn 't killed the general, then he would not have lived. The general would have done everything in his power to make sure Rainsford would not have left the island and exploited his secret. Ultimately, Rainsford has to live with knowing he murdered another human being. Rainsford also learned the close bond shared between a hunter and a huntee. Anyone can debate whether or not this change was good or bad. I personally make an assumption about his persepctive being changed for the good. He experienced the ugly truth up close and personal and has now been on both sides of the brutal
General Zaroff used hunting tactics when they were eating “the last supper” at Zaroff’s house. Every time Rainsford looked up, he said, “he found him studying him, appraising him narrowly” (Connell 66). By this, the reader can tell that Zaroff is trying to notice Rainsford’s tendencies. Knowing these can make hunting him easier. Also at dinner, Zaroff explains to Rainsford that “God made him a hunter” and how his father believed that “his hand was made for the trigger” since he was ten (Connell 85). Zaroff sharing this with Rainsford is proof that this man is a talented hunter and has been for a long time. Rainsford is quite the hunter himself. So much so, that Zaroff knew who he was when he arrived. The General stated, “It is a very great pleasure and honor to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home” (Connell 52). Also during the hunt when Rainsford set up the Burmese tiger pit and claiming one of Zaroff’s dogs, Zaroff tells him, “You’ve done well, Rainsford” (Connell 194). If his enemy believes that he is a great hunter, then he must be. Especially because Zaroff thinks so highly of himself. Going back to when Rainsford was
When Rainsford falls off of the boat, he has to try his best to stay afloat until he can find something to latch on to. He swims vigorously until he reaches Ship-Trap Island. "Jagged crags appeared to jut up into the opaqueness... dense jungle came down to the very edge of the cliffs." It is midday and he is just searching for a place to rest when he runs into Ivan, the astonishingly large guard of the island. Zaroff, the owner of the island, joins in on their conversation about hunting. The conversation is interesting to say the least. Zaroff says, "You'll find this game worth playing…your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess! And the stake is not without value, eh?" Zaroff is trying to point out that he finds interest in hunting humans, and he wants to know if Rainsford will rise to the challenge. Rainsford is left with a choice to make; will he fight Zaroff, or will he decline and get killed by Ivan. The choice in this situation is pretty self- evident.
To Mr. Rainsford, hunting is like football to a NFL player. Hunting plays a huge role in his li...
The only way Rainsford knew to eliminate Zaroff was the act of surprise and in the muddy jungle floor it would perform a difficult task. He started his hunt at the beginning of the bloody footprints and followed them all the way to
“I suggest to one of them that we go hunting. I give him supply of food and an excellent hunting knife. I am to follow, armed only with a pistol of the smallest caliber and range” (11). Zaroff explains to Rainsford the game which seems unfair since Zaroff had a gun and the other person had a knife. Rainsford thought that something was wrong when Zaroff was explaining him the game, but Rainsford did not pay a lot of attention. “Rainsford did not believe what his reason told him was true, but the truth was as evident as the sun that had by now pushed through the mists. The general was playing him. The general was saving him for another day’s sport. The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse” (15). Rainsford realized that Zaroff was cheating and lying to him since the beginning. After all the things that happened, Rainsford knew that he should have listened to his instincts. Zaroff showed his real personality which is conceited, rude, crazy, and an hypocrite, even though at the end he ended up losing against
Rainsford overcomes many obstacles, and in return he receives that special feeling of satisfaction in his body. To start, he overcomes the thought of him being weak. Furthermore, he conquers learning the value of even an animal’s life. Not to mention, he defeats becoming the hunted, when he is the hunter. In the short story Sanger Rainsford outwits General Zaroff in the battle of “The Most Dangerous
In the opening of the story, Connell depicts the protagonist of the story, Sanger Rainsford, as a cold-blooded hunter who has no regard for animal life. Connell clearly states Rainsford’s disgust for animals: “’Who cares how a jaguar feels?’” Rainsford’s ‘killer’ demeanor remains until he reaches conflict with the adversary of the story, General Zaroff. Connell states Rainsford’s change of heart: “The baying of the hounds drew nearer…Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels.” Now getting the short end of the stick, Rainsford is finally able to empathize with animals that suffer unjustifiable deaths. Rainsford can now share the same point-of-view of hunted animals. Only after being hunted by General Zaroff is Rainsford aware of the wrong of killing animals. Rainsford’s newfound knowledge about animal cruelty is addressed to the readers as well. Connell’s intent is to relay a subliminal message to readers that animal cruelty of any sort is
"Get ready, General Zaroff," (Connell) states Rainsford as he is about to fight the General. "The Most Dangerous Game" is an adventurous story, written by one of the greatest American Literature authors. The story includes all the works: a detailed setting, an intriguing point of view, an interesting conflict, a protagonist and antagonist, a theme that shines throughout the story, and a mysterious twist at the end. "The Most Dangerous Game" won the O. Henry Memorial Award for short fiction in 1923 and 1924, which is proof that this story is worthy of reading. "The Most Dangerous Game" is analyzed as an exciting journey and a must-read short story for young adults everywhere.
Rainsford doesn’t get it. In “The Most Dangerous Game” Rainsford, the main character, explains that he doesn’t think that hunting animals or hunting in general is a bad thing to do. “You’re a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?” (Connell 1) Rainsford doesn’t think that the animals that he is hunting even know what is going on, but as he will soon find out, they really do. As the story continues Rainsford finds himself in a bit of a tough situation.