Social Darwinism In The Most Dangerous Game, By Richard Connell

“Survival of the Fittest.” A theory based on the outcome of competitions between social groups such as plants, animals, and the human culture. And it comes from the term social Darwinism. Social Darwinism could be simply summed up in the term above in that only the strongest and fittest in this world will survive. This is supported by believers of social Darwinism who stand by that phrase and justify the arguments of racism, power of individuals, and who is fit to survive. Herbert spencer, a sociologist, brought the ideas of social darwinism to the public which he based off of Charles Darwin’s studies of evolution, hence the name.(Banister, 1) Social Darwinism can be seen in the short story, “The Most Dangerous Game,” written by Richard Connell.

Social Darwinism can be seen in a conversation early in the story between Whitney and Rainsford.

Whitney brings up the thought of how maybe the animals being hunted experience fear and have emotions. Almost instantly Rainsford shoots him down with this quote, “ The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily you and I are the hunters.” (Connell) Like the social Darwinists who believe that only the strongest will survive Rainsford has the same kind of thinking. He believes that only the strong will survive and that animals and lower class people have no feelings.

Following this General Zaroff shows a similar thought process but on how people are divided, not animals. In a conversation between General Zaroff and Rainsford Zaroff quotes this,” I hunt the scum of the earth--sailors from tramp ships--lascars, blacks, Chinese, whites, mongrels--a thoroughbred horse or hound is worth more than a score of them.” (Connell) When Zaroff says this he means that those people are weak and will not do well in this world. Zaroff believes that, like Adolf Hitler, that a group or groups of people are worthless and make no difference in this

world.
Continuing with the relationship between Social Darwinism and Most Dangerous Game here is another quote from General Zaroff, “Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs be taken by the strong.” (Connell) How this quote relates to Social Darwinism is again similar to the term, “Survival of the Fittest” meaning that only the strong people in life will take it head on and survive.
Social Darwinism is reflected among the characters and plot line in the short story, Most Dangerous Game, written by Richard Connell. In both the short story and Social Darwinism only the strong people survive, one person or a group of people view themselves as superior, and that the lower class and animal life have are not important. In conclusion, Social Darwinism is a key aspect in the short story Most Dangerous Game.