Although emotions are created by the human psychological mind, fear is unarguably more than a mental state of mind; it becomes physical. Richard Conell’s, “The Most Dangerous Game”, is infused with the recurring themes of violence and fear. The protagonist, Sanger Rainsford, is being hunted by General Zaroff, the short story’s antagonist. From the beginning of the story, until the last sentence, Rainsford undergoes a series of life-changing events. Albeit, he goes through character development, there are various fixed character traits of Rainsford that remain prevailing. Richard Conell develops the character of Sanger Rainsford in “The Most Dangerous Game” by showing the reader his astuteness, courageousness, and physical strength. …show more content…
Rainsford’s characterization as courageous is being demonstrated as he accepts the proposition the antagonist has led out for him. Sanger quickly regains his composure, as he complies to his request; “And if I win –’ began Rainsford huskily. (9)” There is no detection of fear or unease to the hunter’s voice. The excerpt shows that as it does seem as though he is backing down from a challenge. It seems as Rainsford realized that this is a game of hunt. However, only that the chess pieces have changed. In addition, as Rainsford is fleeing from the general, he comes to face an ultimatum: either to be killed by his pursuer, or placing the fate in his own hands. As shown, he intrepidly chooses the latter. “It was the shore of the sea…twenty feet below him [Rainsford] the sea rumbled and hissed. Rainsford hesitated. He heard the hounds. Then he leaped far out into the sea. (12)” Rainsford willingly leaps out into the sea, perhaps to his inevitable death. He is willing to risk his life than to be caught in the hands of Zaroff and his hounds. From these two particular acts, we learn that Rainsford is a courageous man, of one's own accord, commits actions that could lead to possible …show more content…
In particular, when the New York native becomes a castaway. Once Rainsford’s fortune had been set overseas, his physical strength and capabilities are shown. From the story, it states as “with his remaining strength he dragged himself from the swirling waters. Jagged crags appeared to just up… he forced himself upward hand over hand. (3)” With having to swim several miles in cold waters, as well as in the dark, and climbing upon the rocks leading up to the shore shows that Sanger is physically able. Being a hunter in itself should leave an individual physically fit to endure extreme situations, especially swimming until dawn. In addition, later on in the story, Rainsford yet again shows that he is physically capable to complete more than the average man. “A big tree with a thick trunk and outspread branches was near by, and taking care to leave not the slightest mark, he climbed up into the crotch… (10)” Climbing on to what is believed to be a tall tree, as it is in the jungle, demonstrates that the protagonist is able to hoist himself up there. Without having this trait, Rainsford would have not been able to win this “game”, or all alone make it onto the island. Thus, while Rainsford is “a beast at bay”, it is significant to recognize Richard Conell’s creation and use of the protagonist’s characterization. The protagonist is the embodiment of the result of corruption, and how
To convey the theme of competition can enhance a person’s character, Richard Connell has Rainsford succeed at the Most Dangerous Game. Rainsford shows through the big hunt growth because he knows strategies and ways to win the big hunt. The frightening event is when he has to build his traps to stay away from the General. The exciting is when he meets him back at the house and kills the General and win the Most Dangerous
Readers are unaware of the thoughts inside the character’s head - it may be a dreamless sleep or flashback of his earlier life. It is difficult to be certain of the duel’s effect to Rainsford’s mind. Even at that moment, it is unclear whether Rainsford is just a tired man or an animal at
The protagonist of this story, hunter Sanger Rainsford, fits all the attributes of a protagonist in the adventure genre. Not only is he brave for facing the general, but he has a good moral compass, despite evident character flaws. Connell introduces Rainsford’s flaws as he is talking to Whiteny on the boat at the beginning of the story. “The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters” (Connell 1).
After having no other option than to play the game, Rainsford starts playing it by the rules to prove how honorable of a man he is. The latter comes very close to killing Zaroff using one of his cunning three traps. After escaping the third trap, Zaroff and his pack of hounds continue their chase. Rainsford then smartly gets away from the hunter by leaping into the sea and making his was back to
When an unfortunate accident throws Rainsford overboard, he stays calm (Connell 28). In this sudden event, he needs to stay calm, and he does that very well. From this point, he immediately looks around and surveys to find a place to go that isn’t stranded in the ocean. “General, I wish to leave this island at once” (Connell 36). Hearing all about the island and General Zaroff makes Rainsford decide he needs to leave.
He is pressed with two options, play the game or die by the hand of Ivan without the hope of ever escaping. Rainsford agrees to the game with gritted teeth, degrading himself to the position of the hunted. He is allowed his time to rest before the hunt begins. He struggles to keep himself collected, always telling him to mind his nerves. He runs to avoid Zaroff, wondering if it will be the moment he meets his demise.
Most people when they hear “The Most Dangerous Game” they think of bull riding or other dangerous games that don’t involve death. “The Most Dangerous Game” is a suspenseful cliff hanging story that follows the days of a castaway on the island of a crazed hunter. Rainsford is a big game hunter who falls off a boat near the island of General Zaroff, a big Cossack general who is looking for an alternative to hunting dangerous animals but with a twist. Throughout “The Dangerous Game” Rainsford and General Zaroff both show examples of IRony and exert arrogance.
He had to fight himself to stay on track. He was so scared in the jungle while the General was trying to hunt him. On page 186, it says “He could not say where he was. That was suicide.” This shows the reader that Rainsford may be thinking of what could go wrong, and is not thinking on the positive side of things.
Rainsford hesitated. He heard the hounds. Then he leaped
“‘You have won the game.’ Rainsford did not smile. ‘I am still a beast at bay…’Get ready General Zaroff’” (20) He doesn’t kill Zaroff for any reason other than revenge. By beast at bay Rainsford is saying he doesn’t have anywhere to go, so he wants to fight Zaroff, until someone dies which is ironic because Rainsford states that he is against killing another human being when he first meets Zaroff at the beginning of the story.
Throughout the story, Rainsford demonstrates a complex and evolving character
He’s being hunted by Zaroff and they both like to feel the adrenaline rush. Having been a victim of Zaroff’s sick and wicked game, Rainsford will never hunt again due to the mind games and his mental state by the impact of his treacherous adventure. In the beginning, Rainsford now knows how it feels to be a victim and has played Zaroff’s wicked game. Rainsford starts to realize the problems of the prey that he hunted and what challenges that the prey faced.
There are several conflicts in “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell; while person versus person is the most obvious, person versus self and person versus nature are also present. For example, the “jagged crags” upon which Rainsford lands scratch his hands until they are raw, and when Rainsford is trying to survive the hunt, nature once again acts as an obstacle. The muck is like “ a giant leech” and the insects “[bite] him savagely” through the dense vegetation. On the other hand, Rainsford faces an internal dilemma when he is talking to Zaroff about hunting humans for sport: while Rainsford is shocked by the proposition, he feels no revulsion, no disgust. Therefore, because Rainsford does not seem to have an internal aversion to Zaroff’s proposal, that causes a quandary - his lack of moral dilemma in this situation is a dilemma in itself.
External conflict is something that some characters from the second unit struggle with. Rainsford, Mathilde, and Georg and Ulrich all experience external conflicts that create an unexpected turn of events. The title “The Most Dangerous Game” is significant to the text because it helps readers to understand that the game will not be easy. It also reflects the truth in this text because Rainsford underestimated his opponent, and this could cause the game to be dangerous.
Fear is not real. It is the product of thoughts you create. Danger is very real, but fear is a choice. In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” the main character Rainsford is being hunted which creates fear in him. He is scared of dying but overcame his fear by facing the danger of the hunting game.