The Most Dangerous Game Conflict Essay

Without conflict there would be no plot; without a plot there is no story. Conflict is one of the most important elements of fictional literature. The three types, man versus man, man versus himself, and man versus nature appear countless times throughout the short story, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell. Rainsford engages in a man versus man problem with General Zaroff while they hunt each other. Furthermore, Rainsford fights with nature while he tries to survive in the wilderness. The last struggle is man versus himself between Rainsford and his own thoughts. All three types of conflict are demonstrated on numerous occasions throughout the story. Man versus man conflict is more commonly seen in “The Most Dangerous Game” than the other two types of conflict. The rivalry between the protagonist and antagonist , Rainsford and Zaroff is seen when, “Rainsford’s first impulse was to hurl himself down like a panther, but he saw that the general’s right hand held something--a small automatic pistol” (11). While Zaroff is hunting him, Rainsford hides in a tree in hopes to escape the fate Zaroff has in store for him. When Zaroff comes around the corner, he has a pistol and is ready to kill, which helps display the man versus man conflict in this story. So when Zaroff …show more content…
For instance, “He forced the machinery of his mind to function” (12). In a moment of panic, Rainsford urges his mind to work so he can come up with a plan as to how he will come out of the hunt alive. Another moment of conflict within Rainsford’s own head is when he says, “‘I will not lose my nerve, I will not’” (12). Rainsford is struggling to stay alert due to fatigue, so he repeatedly tells himself to keep going and to keep his grit. Rainsford is determined to survive and constantly wrangles with his mind, proving there is man versus himself conflict in this short