The Most Dagerous Game by Richard Connell

823 Words2 Pages

From Mark Twain to Amy Tan, American authors have refined the narrative form beyond what the Greeks and subsequent practitioners of the literary form have achieved. One of the most anthologized American narratives--"The Most Dangerous Game"--provides evidence of the American talent for incorporating narrative conventions, multiple conflict types, and language that achieves symbolic purpose. Thus, readers of this Richard Connell classic are given a lesson in perfect narrative form.
Clearly, the author provides evidence of a sinister plot line in the exposition phase of the story. Connell sets the tone of the story right away with dialogue between two characters, Whitney and Rainsford. Whitney is describing a mysterious island to Rainsford, the unfortunate protagonist who will end up on that very island. The two are aboard a yacht headed for Brazil for big game hunting. Whitney comments about a distant, mysterious island called Ship Trap Island that sailors dread and try to avoid at all cost. Whitney states even cannibals wouldn't live on Ship Trap Island. Connell establishes fear and dread by speaking of a dark "moonless Caribbean night” and eerie atmosphere out on the dark still ocean. Connell also uses the color red throughout story to highlight the blood, violence, and death on Ship-Trap Island. For example, Connell describes seas as the “blood-warm waters.” Connell describes a patch of weeds as “stained crimson.” Connell uses the color red to link the lust of murder and violence.
In the beginning of the story, Rainsford exhibits a harsh attitude toward the animals he hunts. He believes that the world consists only of predators and prey. Rainsford is alone on deck and falls overboard the ship is gone, so he swims to the is...

... middle of paper ...

...ord states, “I am still a beast at bay" I am not caught yet. Rainsford is still playing the game and wants to end the game by battling to the death. Rainsford shows he is now ready to kill in order to protect himself.
Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Games" is a masterfully structured narrative that exemplifies an American author's expertise in the literary form. This short story tells the story of Survival of the fittest and how any of us can go from being the hunter to being the hunted.

Works Cited

Works Cited
Stedman, Raymond W. "WELCOME TO THE NOSTALGIA LEAGUE!!" The Nostalgia League- Old Time Radio, B-Movies, Westerns, Comics, Railroading, both Real and Model, and Nostalgia. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.

Open Document