The Most Dangerous Game: A Literary Classic

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For a story to be accepted as a classic it must meet certain requirements. For one, it has to “withstand the test of time.” “The Most Dangerous Game,” was original published in 1924 and it is still commonly read today for entertainment and educational purposes. A classic also must have a certain “universal appeal,” meaning it touches upon some of our most basic emotional responses. In “The Most Dangerous Game,” it integrates themes that are easily understood by all types of readers, themes of competition, fear, and moral values. “A classic also makes connection to the real world.” “The Most Dangerous Game,” refers to the war and revolution in Russian between 1914 and 1921 (Smele). General Zaroff is from an aristocratic Russian family, a Cossack. Ivan is also a Cossack, but he was an official knouter to the Great White Czar. Lastly, a classic must express some artistic quality. “The Most Dangerous Game” reflects the truth about human nature and moralistic values which remained unnoticed until Rainsford discovered the island (Lombardi). These mysteries are unearthed by Rainsford during his time on this secretive Ship-Trap Island.
In “The Most Dangerous Game,” Connell uses symbolism to help convey the theme of the story. A symbol is anything that represents something else (Symbols in a Story). In the short story the Cape buffalo head hanging in General Zaroff’s dining room represents General Zaroff’s skill as a hunter (Horan). Rainsford says, “The Cape buffalo is the most dangerous of all big game.” Another example of symbolism is the Island itself (Spark Notes Editors). Ship-Trap Island symbolizes General Zaroff’s desire to hunt a prey that is both challenging and intriguing. Since hunting humans for fun is gruesome and uncivilized...

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Smele, Jonathan, Dr. "War and Revolution in Russia 1914 - 1921." BBC. British Broadcasting Corporation, 03 Mar. 2011. Web. 01 Feb. 2014.
SparkNotes Editors. "SparkNote on The Most Dangerous Game." SparkNotes. SparkNotes LLC, 2007. Web. 27 Jan. 2014.
Thompson, Terry W. "Connell's THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME." Explicator 60.2 60.2 (2002): 86-89. Literary Reference Center. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.
"The Use of Imagery to Reflect Theme." Pennsylvania Department of Education. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 14 Oct. 2010. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.
"Writing a Critical Analysis of a Short Story." Memorial University Writing Centre. Memorial University of Newfoundland, 28 July 2008. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
Zolyshka, Emily. "The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell." StudyMode. Studymode.com, May 2013. Web. 03 Feb. 2014.

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