As it has in many other great stories, ego has never come to a good end. In his short story, “The Most Dangerous Game” RIchard Connell poses from diversified predicamental conflicts from which Sanger Rainsford must survive using using his various possessed character traits. In “The Most Dangerous Game” Rainsford displays a variety of character traits through different conflicts, one of which he exhibits ignorance, while in another his morality by showing his humanity towards another being. Rainsford, not yet aware of what awaits him is dauntless with his ignorant opinion towards a hunter and a huntee. Rainsford claims that, “Don’t talk rot, Whitney, said Rainsford. You’re a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels.” (Connell, 17) In making this comment …show more content…
Being hunted Rainsford poses many questions regarding Zaroff and his survival. As stated, “Rainsford second thought was even more terrible. It sent a shudder of cold horror through his whole being. Why had the general smiled? Why had he turned back?” (Connell, 31)By stating this Connell shows Rainsford’s conflict with himself. Secondly, this also presents that Rainsford is incisive and clever in recognition towards what can be an obstacles in his survival. Moreover, going through many hardships at last Rainsford has reached his hunter, who is now his victim. Stated in the story, “I am still a beast at bay, he said in a low, hoarse voice. Get ready, General Zaroff.” (Connell, 34) Connell writes this to show that even though Rainsford has his morals of murder in mind, he also has his principals of finishing what is wrong. Therefore, this displays character vs. character conflict because now a huntee has become a hunter and Rainsford’s righteousness is to stop what is wrong. Richard Connell presents these varied conflicts to reflect Rainsford’s traits and how dynamically he has changed from what he was in the
Here Connell implies that Rainsford has no empathy for the being that is being hunted. This is not only ironic because soon he is the one being hunted, but it shows Rainford has character flaws despite being the protagonist. Regardless of his flaws, overall Rainsford has a strong moral compass. When General Zaroff reveals his hobby of hunting and murdering people, Rainsford immediately rejects the invitation to join in the hunt. “‘Thank you, I'm a hunter, not a murderer.’”
Rainsford was a hunter but he became a hunted. Rainsford is faced with the challenge in the middle of the story. Also, the importance of empathy is shown through the changes that occur in Rainsford in the beginning, middle, and end of the story. Moreover, it seems that Zaroff considers himself a god who can snuff out life as he pleases.
At first, Rainsford is seen viewing hunting as a game that holds no moral consequences and has no effect on the animals. However, he is later challenged when met by Zaroff who also had the same viewpoint, but on a much larger scale. Rainsford ironically realizes the true nature of hunting when his own actions are pushed against him. In addition, when General Zaroff is trying to convince Rainsford to join the hunt, Connell writes, "’I'll wager you'll forget your notions when you go hunting with me. You've a genuine new thrill in store for you, Mr. Rainsford’, ‘Thank you, I'm a hunter, not a murderer’" (Connell).
In the short story, The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell uses the characterization of Rainsford to show change in a character’s perspective. For example, in the beginning of the story, Rainsford makes a claim that animals have no feelings, showing that he is inconsiderate of any feelings by his own and does not care for the lives of animals. In the text, Rainsford says, “Who cares how a jaguar feels?” (3) This quote shows that in the exposition, Rainsford does not care for the feelings of animals, and cares more about hunting and killing them. Therefore, the point is proven true because his words at the beginning of the story show that he is indifferent to animals’ feelings.
Rainsford is invited to stay for dinner by Zaroff and comes to realize that the General not only hunts animals, but men as well. The General then invites him
In the short story, “The Most Dangerous Game,” by Richard Connell, the main character, Rainsford, falls off a yacht and ends up swimming to a mysterious island. On this island, he meets a man named Zaroff who kills humans as game, Rainsford has to survive on this island while Zaroff tries to hunt him down. Throughout the story the author demonstrates that things are not always what they seem on the surface. To develop this idea, the author uses irony and symbolism. In order to see this is true, one must compare the time when Rainsford first sees the Chateau and when he closely observes it, with the time when Rainsford first meets General Zaroff and after he gets to know him.
General Zaroff is honored to meet Rainsford and Rainsford thinks it's pleasure to Zaroff. General Zaroff is a hunter who used to hunt animals, but is bored because he's a master at hunting animals.
In Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game” , Rainsford is the positive force in a classic good vs. evil showdown against a psychopathic man-hunter. For example, Rainsford non - evilness is displayed when he declines General Zaroff’s “ We will hunt - you and I,” (10). This is substantial evidence towards Rainsford morals and integrity as a human. Based on the short story, a good and decent person would not want to hunt someone, it is an act of cold blood.
Also, General Zaroff is an extreme hunter and doesn’t find pleasure in hunting regular animals. Zaroff says the most dangerous game is humans because they have the ability to reason. Rainsford is going to be hunted and is given a certain amount of time to survive. Moreover, while Rainsford is being hunted Zaroff
“‘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.
Not only was rainsford in a conflict with General Zaroff he is in conflict with himself as he is finding his way to Ship Trap Island. “‘I must keep my nerve, I must keep my nerve,’ he said through tight teeth” (12). Rainsford also had a conflict with himself on the island when he was deciding what to do to get away from Zaroff. Rainsford was able to overcome the internal conflict when the dogs were chasing him and he needed to make the decision to jump into the water, fight the dogs, or climb a tree and hide. Man versus himself is very important to Connell’s story.
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.
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.
Civilized: A Unique Portrait of Society One of the denotations of the word ‘civilized’ is written as, “educated; at an advanced stage of cultural development; refined.” Given this word choice, many individuals would argue on what it truly means to be defined as civilized, and if such people can also be inhumane. In Richard Connell’s short story “The Most Dangerous Game”, the true meaning of the word is questioned by the main antagonist, whose actions argue that, depending on certain aspects and one’s own judgement, a civilized man may also be barbaric. The two are in the middle of a feast when Zaroff apologizes for the food, explaining that as they are, “well off the beaten track” it is difficult to receive delicious delicacies, despite what they’re eating at the moment to be of refined taste and skill. In explanation as to why he has such luxury far out in the middle of nowhere, Zaroff answers with, “We try
But we should also never underestimate ourselves and never hold ourselves back. Rainsford represents the part of us, focused and does not give up on his goal because it is to difficult. Although General Zaroff represents the dark or extreme side of us, not showing pity towards others, becoming lazy, and inferring Rainsford has died therefore not caring about his