The Bravery of Rainford Illustrated in The Most Dangerous Game

The Bravery in Rainford’s Actions

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.

First, I can prove that Rainsford was brave by the way he spoke and acted with General Zaroff. When he speaks to people, he is clearly not afraid of what he says. On page 16-17, the story states, “The first thing Rainsford’s eyes discerned was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen—a gigantic creature solidly made and blackbearded to the waist. In his hand the man held a long barreled revolver, and he was pointing straight at Rainsford’s heart. Out of the snarl of beard two small eyes regarded Rainsford. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ said Rainsford..” In this situation, I’m not sure if any man would be able to speak. Quite frankly, it seems like a “Don’t talk and you won’t get hurt” kind of situation. I know that if I were in Rainsford’s shoes, I don’t think I’d be able to speak. But other then my own opinion, by Rainsford speaking to the large man, it proved that he was brave. Another example, would be on page 21 when Rainsford states, “Hunting? Good God, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder.” In just that one little sentence of dialogue, he proved that he wasn’t afraid of standing up to a man who has killed several other men. I think that this proves he is immensely brave because the way a person speaks shows confidence, and truly, Rainsford had confidence.

Next, he can be proven brave by his actions. The way Rainsford acts says a lot about how he is brave, because if it were...

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...ent of panic, it also proves that he is at least brave enough that Genreal Zaroff would not find him.

Overall, Rainsford is the bravest man in this story considering he stayed at a man’s house who he soon found later to be hunting people. He is brave by the fact that he stood up to General Zaroff, saying that the ‘sport’ General Zaroff was doing was not hunting—and that it was murder instead. He is also brave for the fact that he was able to keep his calm when General Zaroff was hunting him. Lastly, he was brave by thinking positively in a moment of life and death. To conclude, I think when life gives us a rocky road to walk on, we need to remember to be brave—Just like Rainsford was in his situations.

Works Cited

Connell, Richard. “The Most Dangerous Game.” Elements of Literature: Third Course. Ed. Kathleen Daniels. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2002.