All animals hunt for survival, yet humans have developed a beastly way to make a game of it. In this sport, hunters thrive on the misfortune or weakness of others, while prey often forfeit the opportunity to avenge their attackers before it is too late. In rare occasions, the hunted will revolt and strike back, leaving the hunter astonished. This is best illustrated in Richard Connell’s, “The Most Dangerous Game,” when animal hunter Rainsford takes an unexpected journey to the house of General Zaroff, a hunter of an unusual prey, and is lured into playing a very deadly game of man versus man -- or man versus “beast.” Rainsford originally reveals no sympathy for his bounty of beasts, but upon becoming prey himself, Rainsford begins to transform
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On a night cruise through the Caribbean, he and his friend, Whitney, romanticize about hunting jaguars at their destination. During their chat, Rainsford states, “[hunting is] the best sport in the world.” Whitney, a more compassionate lad, replies, “For the hunter. Not the Jaguar.” In a distasteful manner, Rainsford shows his human superiority complex by responding, “Who cares how the Jaguar feels,” and goes on to say, “Bah! They’ve no understanding.” This statement best describes Rainsford’s character since he is the one absent understanding. A man whose passion lies solely in the sport of hunting does not know the basics of humanity, let alone life. Hunting is a game to him, yet he has been playing absent a worthy opponent. No animal in the wild is a suitable match for modern weaponry which means that there is no challenge or honor in killing them. Preying on the helpless is a facile skill that anyone can master, but the young hunter soon finds himself playing against an adversary of the same …show more content…
When placed in a survival situation, he transforms into a brute and runs, hides, climbs trees, and digs holes to protect his life. The author’s description of these actions metaphorically depicts the protagonist as an animal, showing how his survival instincts are parallel to the beast of the wild. After several days of “outdoor chess,” General Zaroff gives up and returns to his residence when Rainsford takes his ultimate revenge. Rainsford leaps from behind the curtain and listens to his victim’s last words. “I congratulate you,” stated Zaroff, “you have won the game.” Since the game is won, Rainsford can take this compliment and leave the island peacefully, but instead, he responds, “I am still a beast at bay,” and kills the general. Feeling “trapped” or “at bay,” he behaves as any other animal would in this situation. In this moment, Rainsford tally embraces the animal he had previously denied empathy. He has become the animal he had previously dismissed. This is because when face to face with his predator, Rainsford behaves as a trapped animal and “pounces” on his victim like the
On a night cruise through the Caribbean, he and his friend, Whitney, romanticize about hunting jaguars at their destination. During their chat, Rainsford states, “[hunting is] the best sport in the world.” Whitney, a more compassionate lad, replies, “For the hunter. Not the Jaguar.” In a distasteful manner, Rainsford shows his human superiority complex by responding, “Who cares how the Jaguar feels,” and goes on to say, “Bah! They’ve no understanding.” This statement best describes Rainsford’s character since he is the one absent understanding. A man whose passion lies solely in the sport of hunting does not know the basics of humanity, let alone life. Hunting is a game to him, yet he has been playing absent a worthy opponent. No animal in the wild is a suitable match for modern weaponry which means that there is no challenge or honor in killing them. Preying on the helpless is a facile skill that anyone can master, but the young hunter soon finds himself playing against an adversary of the same …show more content…
When placed in a survival situation, he transforms into a brute and runs, hides, climbs trees, and digs holes to protect his life. The author’s description of these actions metaphorically depicts the protagonist as an animal, showing how his survival instincts are parallel to the beast of the wild. After several days of “outdoor chess,” General Zaroff gives up and returns to his residence when Rainsford takes his ultimate revenge. Rainsford leaps from behind the curtain and listens to his victim’s last words. “I congratulate you,” stated Zaroff, “you have won the game.” Since the game is won, Rainsford can take this compliment and leave the island peacefully, but instead, he responds, “I am still a beast at bay,” and kills the general. Feeling “trapped” or “at bay,” he behaves as any other animal would in this situation. In this moment, Rainsford tally embraces the animal he had previously denied empathy. He has become the animal he had previously dismissed. This is because when face to face with his predator, Rainsford behaves as a trapped animal and “pounces” on his victim like the