More handpicked essays just for you.
The analysis of the most dangerous game
The most dangerous game by richard ornell analysis
The most dangerous game richard connell analysis
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Games are supposed to be fun not murderous, right? Even though games are meant to entertain and excite all players, in the story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, Rainsford, the protagonist, goes through life-or-death of situations as a game of hunting humans made by the antagonist, General Zaroff. Rainsford has to adapt to these situations as they happen for three days trying to stay alive using what he knows as a hunter. However, Rainsford isn’t hunting but the one being hunted by the insane man, Zaroff, with multiple tactics to kill Rainsford. Throughout “The Most Dangerous Game” Rainsford struggles with man vs. man, man vs. nature, and man vs. self-situations while using his background knowledge, sanity and adaptability.
Furthermore,
…show more content…
Rainsford uses his background knowledge of being a hunter to defeat General Zaroff (man vs. man) in the brutal game of hunting humans.
Although he isn’t the hunter this time, but the quarry he still manages to stay alive with tricks from his previous experiences. Like when Rainsford was hiding from Zaroff, and he built a trap to get Zaroff. "‘Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best dogs’” (p.72). This quote supports that Rainsford went against Zaroff (man vs. man) using his background knowledge because the trap he set up for Zaroff was a trap he learned in his prior experience. If Rainsford hadn’t used the Burmese tiger pit trap, then Zaroff’s dog would’ve found Rainsford and killed him. Meaning that the trap Rainsford made, gave him more time to stay alive which gave Rainsford a higher chance to beat Zaroff in the hunting game. Another part of the story that supports that Rainsford uses his prior knowledge to defeat General Zarof was …show more content…
when Rainsford was on his first day of the hunting game. “‘I'll give him a trail to follow,’…he doubled on his trail again and again, recalling all the lore of the fox hunt, and all the dodges of the fox” (p.69). This quote supports that Rainsford used his prior knowledge as he struggled to beat Zaroff because Rainsford tried to trick Zaroff to go somewhere else to stay alive longer. While Rainsford used that ploy, he remembered when he previously hunted using that same tactic. Which if Rainsford didn’t use the tactic he woulnt have had stalled time to keep Zaroff busy as he tried to find another way to stay alive. However, Rainsford didn’t just struggle in constant battle against Zaroff, but he also had difficulty surviving against nature. Moreover, Rainsford conflicted with nature throughout the story trying to adapt as he played Zaroff’s inhuman hunting game.
While Rainsford was fleeing when Zaroff went to get his wound attended from one of Rainsford’s traps, he found himself on the part of the island that has quicksand. “With a violent effort, he tore his feet loose… He stepped back from the quicksand a dozen feet or so and, like some huge prehistoric beaver, he began to dig” (p. 71-72). This quote supports Rainsford struggled against nature because Rainsford almost got sucked into the quicksand which would’ve killed him. However, Rainsford used his adaptability skills to make it out of the quicksand and then made a trap. Altogether, Rainsford adjusted to the quicksand that almost killed him and made a trap that helped Rainsford defeat Zaroff in the hunting game. Another part of the story where Rainsford struggled with nature as he adapted, was when Rainsford put himself back into the ocean as Zaroff was behind him. “Twenty feet below him the sea rumbled and hissed. Rainsford hesitated. He heard the hounds. Then he leaped far out into the sea...” (p.74) This quote supports Rainsford conflicts with nature because the ocean was Rainsford’s first enemy due to the ocean being the reason of Rainsford’s presence on the island. Which meant going back into the waters of nature could kill him. Although, in the end Rainsford got away from Zaroff. Leading up to Rainsford used his adaptability skills when he was in the
ocean to be able to go against it and make it back on shore and finally defeat Zaroff in the hunting game. Nonetheless, Rainsford also struggled against himself from giving into insanity. Therefore, throughout the story Rainsford struggled against himself (man vs. self) as he used his sanity from turning insane. In the beginning of the story, Rainsford didn’t get much sleep since reaching the island, and now he must work hard to beat General Zaroff in the hunting game. He is weary and terrified, but he has to keep going. “Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror. ‘I will not lose my nerve. I will not’” (p.70). This quote supports Rainsford conflicts with himself because he must his fight his own fear and exhaustion in order to stay one-step ahead of the general. Also, Rainsford sanity keeps him from going insane so he can stay alive in challenge Zaroff brought upon him. However, Rainsford can’t give into his fear because panic will cloud his judgment and he will make lethal mistakes. Another part of the story when Rainsford conflict with himself while trying to stay sane is when we learn that he shows no care for the feelings of his prey in his conversations with Whitney but then turns into the prey. “Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels” (p.73). Meaning, as the plot progresses Rainsford seems to re-think that conversation because he becomes the prey. Now that Rainsford knows what it’s like to be a quarry and how it was the opposite of what he thought it he doesn’t believe how much he’s contradicted himself to such an extent. Nevertheless, Rainsford never imagined himself as the prey until Zaroff’s game came into play and Rainsford was running on edge of sanity. Yet, he learns throughout the story how to be the hunter and quarry to beat Zaroff. Overall, Rainsford contradicts with himself trying to think and behave in a rational manner as the story progresses itself. Finally, even though games should be entertaining for all participants, Rainsford did not enjoy playing General Zaroff’s game of fighting to the death. Nor did he enjoy having to be one of mother nature’s many victims. Rainsford also was his own victim as he contradicted himself in the story. All in all, Rainsford had to use his previous experiences, rational thinking and fit himself into being a prey instead of a predator to defeat General Zaroff at the brutal hunting game. Therefore, you shouldn’t look down on your prey or else you’ll become the prey when you least expect it.
The most dangerous game began as a sport for one man. His name is Sanger Rainsford. In Richard Connell’s story “The Most Dangerous Game,” Sanger Rainsford, an avid hunter, is lost at sea, stranded on “Ship-Trap” Island-every sailor’s worst nightmare. Rainsford goes through a series of events that prove to be life-altering. Even though Sanger Rainsford went through many trials and tribulations, he never lost his intelligence, composure, or his bravery.
He was caught by a malicious man who hunted men for pleasure. Rainsford was quite good with handling it though. Although there was a lot of stress and pressure being put on him he did some quick thinking and set up traps around the island, like a Burmese tiger pit, to capture the malicious man. He had determination to stay alive and get off the eerie and horrid island so he could see civilization again, that was his
After falling off his ship and forced to swim to a mysterious island, Rainsford is faced with a challenge. General Zaroff traps him in a “game” that requires Rainsford to use his skills to survive. He is hunted for three days; where he was chased, tracked down, and shot at. General Zaroff led the hunt to try to kill Rainsford. General was equipped with more firepower and help from his henchman and dogs. But even with his much greater opponent, he was able to survive. Rainsford used his many skills to defeat and kill his enemy. He used quick wit to make traps that would slow Zaroff and kill his dogs and henchman. Then he used his intelligence to escape Zaroff by swimming away, but sneaking back into his own mansion.
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.
Would you have been brave enough to play a “game” that was to most likely end in death? In the story, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, a man by the name of Rainsford is clearly brave because of the fact that he played the most dangerous game. His bravery can be proved by his actions, appearance, and speech.
In “The Most Dangerous Game” the author creates two strikingly similar characters that blur the line of ethics. Rainsford, the protagonist, meets his adversary and leader of an exotic tribe, Zaroff, after falling off of a yacht and swimming to the nearest island. The short story then explores the events that transpires between the strangers – focusing on Zaroff's bloodthirsty hunt against Rainsford. Yet even with the two men on opposite sides of a loaded gun, they both share many common interests and views pertaining to their similar backgrounds, hunting methods, and desired end result.
The Most Dangerous Game Written by Richard Connell is a story about the dangers of nature and the ethical question of if we should kill animals.
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.
There isn’t many fights that are hand to hand due to the fact that Rainsford would automatically lose because Zaroff has a gun. However, these men are hunters and have other ways to fight than just hand to hand combat or with guns. Rainsford sets up many elaborate traps for Zaroff, reflecting his many years of experience. After finding the quicksand, Rainsford makes a trap for one of Zaroff’s dogs and his small victory is announced by Zaroff when he says, “You’ve done well, Rainsford, your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best dogs” (21). The fact that Rainsford values human life becomes ironic when he is able to cold-bloodedly kill Zaroff then having a good night’s sleep. Rainsford decided, “he had never slept in a better bed”
"As you wish, my friend," he said. "The choice rests entirely with you. But may I not venture to suggest that you will find my idea of sport more diverting than Ivan's?" ”(13)”. Zaroff made it seem to Rainsford like they were going hunting together as in both being the hunters, but when Rainsford refuse Zaroff made it clear that he had no choice and was going to to be the huntee. This reveals that Zaroff has a cruel personality because he created a human killing game to keep him busy and gives the person no choice to live.When Zaroff decided to add Rainsford to his game he thought of the excitement it would be to play against a well known hunter who has experience and knowledge like Zaroff does. He took Rainsford skill as a challenge and didn't want the chance to slip away. "You'll find this game worth playing," the general said enthusiastically." Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess!” “(13)”. By adding Rainsford to his game Zaroff is not thinking about Rainsford’s opinion but of the challenge he will be for his skills and the curiosity of seeing Rainsford fight for his life. This quote from the text show that Zaroff is not only cruel but also smart because he see the challenge as to equal minds against each other and he tricked Rainsford intro staying at his house in the first place. The reader discovered that Zaroff is not the person
Moreover, with just khaki hunting clothes, a sack of food and a knife he must escape and recover his freedom. This can be seen when Connell states, “An apprehensive night crawled slowly by like a wounded snake and sleep did not visit Rainsford, although the silence of a dead world was on the jungle…Something was coming thought the bush, coming slowly, carefully, coming by the same winding way Rainsford had come. He flattened himself down on a limb and, through a screen of leaves almost thick as tapestry, he watched… that which was approaching was a man.” (pg. 12) This demonstrates that on the first night, Sanger Rainsford had to think quickly to survive despite not being rested and shows society that one must always be ready for anything, regardless of any obstacles that are in the way. In addition, General Zaroff becomes injured and leaves to recover and Sanger Rainsford must run and hide again. This can be seen when Connell states, “When the general, nursing his bruised shoulder, had gone, Rainsford took up his flight again. It was flight now, desperate, hopeless flight, that carried him on for hours…the vegetation grew ranker, denser; insects bit him savagely.” (pg. 13) This demonstrates how the competition is unfair because General Zaroff goes back to his home to recover whereas Sanger Rainsford is still struggling and the wanting to escape is only
The General has quickly found Rainsford but he lets him escape because he wants a challenge. After, Rainsford ran to another part of the jungle and made a booby-trap called a “Malayan mancatcher" to kill Zaroff. The trap only wounds Zaroff, who returns to the chateau and promises to kill Rainsford the following night.Then Rainsford ran for hours until he accidentally steps into quicksand, once he was able to get out, he digs a pit, lines the bottom of the pit with sharp wooden stakes, covers it with foliage, and then hides in the brush nearby. Sadly one of Zaroff’s hunting hounds activated the trap and plunges to his death, forcing Zaroff to return to the chateau
nature. This conflict is shown as Rainsford surviving in his environment. While Rainsford was on the ship with his friend Whitney, he had an encounter with the bad weather and the “moist black velvet night”(Connell 13). When Rainsford fell in the ocean, he had a tough battle with the water. Rainsford barely had enough energy to swim to the Ship-Trap Island. Another external conflict transpired when Rainsford was in the jungle trying to outlast General Zaroff for three days, Rainsford had to deal with the scorching heat, and a hunter. Being in the jungle, Rainsford also had to deal with numerous kinds of insects and animals. The battle between Rainsford and nature was difficult; nevertheless, Rainsford did not surrender even though he was being hunted by nature.
“For a seemingly endless time he fought the sea” after he fell overboard. (Connell 22). He falls overboard but Rainsford doesn’t succumb to the thrashing waters, instead he decides to fight harder to survive. Rainsford is made more determined by his misfortune rather than give in. Rainsford “had never slept in a better bed” after he shows his determination by beating Zaroff at his own game (Connell 25). Rainsford goes from being the hunted to being the hunter and he does this through his dogged mindset. To put it simply, Rainsford never gives up. Rainsford’s determination and perseverance are what push him to overcome the obstacles that stand in his
Moreover, Rainsford wouldn’t need to worry about anything because he can outsmart them. He most likely felt accomplished because of the trail he retraced. He did a “series of intricate loops” he retraced them over and over “recalling all the lore of the fox hunt and all the doges of the foxes” (Connell 32). He did this due to the fact in which he thought retracing the path will cause Zaroff to get confused and lost. This shows he's creative. Meanwhile around the same time, he was being careful. In this case, he was “at a big tree with a [wide] trunk and outspread branches was nearby, and [being careful] not to leave any marks” (Connell 32). Once again he was trying to outsmart the cays to where they wouldn’t sense him so he climbed up the