The Most Dangerous Game
Hunting has been around for over two millions years, but what is the possibility that the hunter would be the hunted? Sanger Rainsford, a world class hunter and author, has found himself as the new target of a general who likes his prey human. Sometimes, the grass isn’t as green on the other side, and Rainsford will soon have an experience in this lesson. With changing perception, soon the hunter will learn the ways of the hunted. Richard Connell's “The Most Dangerous Game” gives insight on the triumphs of role reversal.
Prior to arriving on the island, Rainsford believed that no game had the wit of a hunter. Animal feelings were nothing in his opinion. Upon meeting the general however, Rainsford’s views began to twist themselves despite his previous statement to fellow hunter Whitney. “Who cares how a jaguar feels?”... They’ve no understanding.” (p.17) His philosophy is further explained as he continues , “The world is made up of two classes - the hunters are the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters. (p.17) Rainsford current standing is as the aggressor of the hunt, as a proclaimed in his previous statement.
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When Rainsford is running from Zaroff, he experiences role reversal, he is now the hunted as opposed to being the hunter. For example, the biggest role reversal is when Rainsford is in the jungle and he is being hunted down by the hounds and they’re tracking him down by his scent. Rainsford realizes that the huntee does feel and that they do have emotions. Another role reversal would be when he jumps off the cliff and swims around. He then again realizes the situation he was in. Rainsford had always said that the huntee never had a sense of what was happening; therefore it was easy to just shoot and kill. Rainsford was then put in the position of the huntee and quickly realized that wasn’t the
“You’re a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?”. The story “The Most dangerous Game,” by Richard Connell introduces an adventurous type of thriller with two main characters named Sanger Rainsford and General Zaroff. Both of which are hunters who in the story play a “game” invented by General Zaroff out of pure fear of becoming bored of the hunt. General Zaroff is a big fan of the hunt and everything he says about the hunt is to be taken serious. Rainsford and General Zaroff are described to be excellent hunters through the traps Rainsford makes, all the big game Zaroff has hunted, but Zaroff is better at hunting through the fact that the hunt has began to bore and he needs more of a challenge hunting humans.
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.
A skilled hunter sprints desperately through the woods, realizing the futility of hiding from his greatest foe: his own kind. Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game” is the story of a hunter that becomes the hunted. The story explores the sense of extreme terror the protagonist feels being pursued by a psychopath living on a mysterious island. This protagonist, Rainsford, has many traits that aid him in his battle with the general. By demonstrating his cunning, sly, and remorseful traits, Rainsford shows the story’s theme of “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes”.
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
In Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game Rainsford’s motivations changed from wanting to be a great hunter to trying to stay alive. As Whitney and Rainsford are headed to Rio to hunt they are talking about the great sport itself, hunting. Rainsford agrees with Whitney and says that hunting is, “The best sport in the world” (Connell 1). This shows he enjoys hunting by saying that it’s is the best and most enjoyable sport in the world. If you are passionate about something it can motivate you to try new things and in his case, hunting new animals. After Rainsford falls off the yacht and wanders to the island he then finds a home and knocks on the door. Ivan answers and General Zaroff soon approached Rainsford and saluted him. After allowing
First, Rainsford had too much pride for his own good. “‘The best sport in the world,’ agreed Rainsford. ‘For the hunter,’ amended Whitney. ‘Not the jaguar.’ ‘Don't talk rot, Whitney,’ said Rainsford. ‘You’re a big game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how the jaguar feels?’(60).” Rainsford never tried to put himself in someone else's shoes, even when someone like Whitney tried to tell him and make him see empathy. Later on in the story, the General gives Rainsford and chance to hide, then sets out to hunt him. Only after being hunted does Rainsford understand what Whitney was talking about when he said, “‘Not the jaguar’(60).”
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell tells the classic tale of the "hunter becoming the hunted" but poses its ' own twist onto it. The story
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...
Video games. They provide an escape from reality to explore worlds and realms beyond our own. However there is a lot of controversy surrounding wether or not video games are good for you, many people are under the impression that video games turn kids and adults alike into mindless zombies hellbent on violence but in this essay I aim to convince you that not only is this untrue but that video games are actually beneficial. I’d also like to mention that too much of anything is bad for your health,for example extremely high quantities of broccoli can be toxic.
“The world is made up of two classes-the hunters and the huntees [...] Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if need be, taken by the strong (Connell 16).”
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
Violent video games have become more realistic every year. Children spend about 40 hours seated in front of a screen killing cartoon characters. It has been debated whether minors under the age of 18 should play violent video games that contain physical harm, killing, and sexual assault. In the contrary, people say video games increases the capacity of learning of children, but violent video games cause great damages. Although there are an increase learning skills playing video games, violent video games should be prohibited to minors because it changes an individual behavior, physical, and brain.