Suspense Used as a Ploy to Keep the Reader Engaged in The Destructors” by Graham Greene and “The Most Dangerous” Game by Richard Connell

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“The Destructors” by Graham Greene and “The Most Dangerous” Game by Richard Connell reveal similarities in both conflict, and brilliant use of suspense in a ploy to keep the reader engaged. The two short stories both hold interesting titles and take place in realistic environments under unrealistic circumstances. Nonetheless both stories relay vague similarities that create a proactive willingness to further explore the stories beyond the first few seconds of reading.
The conflict in both short stories was the main characters ability to make a life-altering decision that would dictate their immediate future. Blackee was faced with the ultimate decision as to if he would allow Trevor otherwise known as T. to lead the group without his presence therefore electing to flee unexpected. Choosing to stay would be succumbing to his belief in the act being one to serious to carryout and leaving would mean abandoning his crew and involuntarily giving T. control over the direction of the Gangs dealings. Since Blackee ultimately decided to stay and adhere to T.’s malevolent plan to literally destroy Old Misery, The Wormsley Common Carpark Gang succeeded in doing just that. His crew wasn’t abandoned; ironically, they rendered a middle-of-the-road interest in whether or not Blackee took part in their endeavors. It seemed to be a shame that he made a decision somewhat based off the welfare of the crew and they disregarded him but even more pity to the man who lost his home and everything he owned. Blackee contributed to the destroying of old Misery causing an already old miserable man even more misery that in the end was only laughed at.
Rainsford had the unfortunate opportunity to choose to be hunted or forced unto the disposal of Ivan, a man d...

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...d if they were the source of the evenings previous gunshots. The Ultimate anticipation was in if Rainsford after choosing to be hunted could actually survive the hunt and if so would The General hold up his end of the bargain and allow Rainsford the gallantry of being unconstrained. It would have been interesting to know if Rainsford had actually been freed and if so had he spoke of his travels to authorities or any one in fact.
In Summary, both stories were interesting enough to hold the attentiveness of a devout reader. Though they weren’t identical in every element, they both held similarities that contributed to the reader becoming engulfed with eagerness to continue reading. “The Destructors” by Graham Greene and “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell reveal similarities in both conflict, and brilliant use of suspense in a ploy to keep the reader engaged.

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