Suspense is a state of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually accompanied by a degree of apprehension or anxiety. Most people crave suspense in literature, movies, or other forms of entertainment. Author Richard Connell uses suspense in the form of foreshadowing in the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” to pull readers in and create a certain interest and involvement in the characters and the story. In the beginning of the story Rainsford and his partner Whitney are on a boat heading in the direction of Rio. They are discussing Rainsford’s theory of hunting, Whitney is disagreeing with Rainsford’s opinion that the animals being hunted have no fear, no feelings. “"Nonsense," laughed Rainsford.
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Previous to this he had heard three gunshots in the distance and makes the decision to swim in that general direction. Soon he discovers land on what is presumed by the reader to be “Ship Trap Island”. He begins to explore the unknown island in search of civilization. After a brief search he locates a large gothic mansion. He enters the mansion under consent of General Zaroff, a cossack general. Rainsford is then invited to rest at Zaroff’s home, he then proceeds to be invited to dinner with Zaroff. At dinner Zaroff tells Rainsford of his many hunting expeditions, and how hunting has begun to bore …show more content…
"I had to invent a new animal to hunt," he said” (69)
In this quote Zaroff speaks of “inventing a new animal” this can be perceived as Zaroff creating a new animal, or simply hunting an animal that has never been previously hunted. Therefore the reader feels a sense of fear or suspense as to what exactly this “animal” is. Furthermore the use of the term animal appears to be held very loosely, this raises the question of; Is this really an animal or something more? Rainsford soon discovers that this so called “animal” is human. Rainsford is repulsed by this idea and expresses his desire to leave the island. Zaroff then decides that if Rainsford won’t hunt with him, he will simply have to hunt Rainsford. Zaroff gives Rainsford a head start of a couple of hours to make an attempt to hide. Rainsford leaves a trail filled with loops and turns in an attempt to off-put Zaroff from his real location. Rainsford makes camp in a tree and sleeps through the night only to be awoken by footsteps right below
Previous to this he had heard three gunshots in the distance and makes the decision to swim in that general direction. Soon he discovers land on what is presumed by the reader to be “Ship Trap Island”. He begins to explore the unknown island in search of civilization. After a brief search he locates a large gothic mansion. He enters the mansion under consent of General Zaroff, a cossack general. Rainsford is then invited to rest at Zaroff’s home, he then proceeds to be invited to dinner with Zaroff. At dinner Zaroff tells Rainsford of his many hunting expeditions, and how hunting has begun to bore …show more content…
"I had to invent a new animal to hunt," he said” (69)
In this quote Zaroff speaks of “inventing a new animal” this can be perceived as Zaroff creating a new animal, or simply hunting an animal that has never been previously hunted. Therefore the reader feels a sense of fear or suspense as to what exactly this “animal” is. Furthermore the use of the term animal appears to be held very loosely, this raises the question of; Is this really an animal or something more? Rainsford soon discovers that this so called “animal” is human. Rainsford is repulsed by this idea and expresses his desire to leave the island. Zaroff then decides that if Rainsford won’t hunt with him, he will simply have to hunt Rainsford. Zaroff gives Rainsford a head start of a couple of hours to make an attempt to hide. Rainsford leaves a trail filled with loops and turns in an attempt to off-put Zaroff from his real location. Rainsford makes camp in a tree and sleeps through the night only to be awoken by footsteps right below