The Most Dangerous Game Character Analysis

Characterization in “The Most Dangerous Game”

Richard Connell develops his characters quite well throughout the course of his short story, “The Most Dangerous Game.” The majority of the story revolves around Rainsford as he changes from the hunter on the boat to the hunted after meeting Zaroff, and back and forth between the two, but in the end Rainsford proves to be the ultimate hunter.

The beginning of the short story serves to introduce the reader to Rainsford's character, primarily through indirect characterization. His friend, Whitney, provides the reader with information through speech detailing Rainsford to be an expert hunter. The author shows Rainsford as not caring at all for what the hunted animals feel; however, this likely changes

near the end of the story, Later, after Whitney leaves, Rainsford is shown to be an expert in firearms, as he can identify a gunshot from the distant island. He acts on impulse by jumping onto the railing of the ship before falling off, but then displays stronger mental facilities as he recomposes himself and swims toward the island. The first real example of Rainsford's hunting prowess comes when he first arrives on the island, sees the evidence of Zaroff's most recent kill, and can tell exactly what happened, all the way to the caliber of the pistol.
Connell then introduces Ivan using both direct and indirect characterization. He uses direct in describing his incredibly large stature, beard and small eyes, clothing, statue-like stillness, and long-barreled revolver. Zaroff directly characterizes Ivan to be deaf, mute, and very strong. Indirectly, Ivan is characterized as being very loyal to Zaroff, as he follows every one of his orders and later dies because of doing so.
Much like Ivan, Zaroff is characterized directly and indirectly, although Zaroff has much more characterization. Connell directly characterizes him with his appearance, being tall with white hair, black eyebrows and mustache, and sharp teeth. Zaroff is indirectly characterized as being of a very high social status, evident by his having suits from a London tailor who makes suits for nobody less than a duke, along with his living conditions of a luxurious mansion on a private island complete with electricity. In addition, Zaroff is characterized as being one of the world's best hunters, as his mansion is decorated with many heads of his kills, all of which were described as the largest and most perfect Rainsford had ever seen. He has also read every book on hunting published in English, French, and Russian, and claims hunting even the most dangerous specimens to now be boring to him, as he has no chance of losing. Zaroff appears to find his hunting man to be a game, as shown when he left Rainsford alive despite clearly knowing where he was hiding many times.
After meeting Zaroff and learning about his hunting, the reader learns more about Rainsford's hunting abilities. Rainsford has knowledge of the fox's evasion, and uses this in an attempt to lose Zaroff's pursuit. He also knows of many hunting traps, such as the Malay man-catcher, which nearly crushes the General, his Burmese tiger pit claiming one of the General's dogs, and finally the Ugandan trap killing Ivan. Rainsford is then indirectly characterized as being brave and resourceful, as he realizes the only way to best the General is to leap into the sea and surprise him in his own home.
All in all, Connell shows excellent characterization in his short story. He paints a clear picture of all characters along with accurately describing their personalities, resulting in the reader forming several connections with Rainsford that make the ending even more satisfying.