essay prompt for most dangerous game

The Most Dangerous Game

By richard connell, the most dangerous game essay questions.

Discuss the various ways that color is used to set a mood in the story. How does such visual language add to the development of the setting?

The story contrasts the darkness of the island with the bright lights of the mansion. The lack of light surrounding the island also serves as an easy means for making a trap for unsuspecting sailors. In addition, Zaroff is described as having white hair with a black beard, black eyebrows, and black eyes. The color contrasts of Zaroff's features hint at his divided psyche.

Is there a difference between hunting humans and animals? Why or why not?

A complete answer would take a position, either there is or is not a difference between hunting humans and hunting animals. An detailed explanation of the selected position should reference differences in cognition, morality, ability to communicate, and understanding of the idea of sport among other things. Ultimately, one of the largest differences, as referenced by Zaroff in the text, is the ability of humans to reason.

“The Most Dangerous Game” gives very little indication of the time during which it is set. What details in the story reveal the time period? Why is such knowledge important for obtaining a deeper understanding of the story?

The fact that Zaroff and Ivan had to escape Russia due to the overthrow of the Czar gives some indication of the time period. In addition, the music and cultural references that Zaroff makes hint at what was popular during the time period in which the story was set. Knowing the time period provides historical context and allows for a deeper understanding of the characters' backgrounds.

Describe examples of zoomorphism and anthropomorphism used in the story. How do they help build the reader’s understanding of the characters?

At the beginning of the novel Whitney raises the question of whether or not a jaguar has an understanding of hunting. Rainsford feels that the jaguar has no understanding. Whitney, in this scene, could be considered by Rainsford to be anthropomorphizing the jaguar. As far as zoomorphism, there are numerous examples of self comparisons (on the part of Rainsford) to animals.

Is General Zaroff a credible character? Could such a situation unfold in today’s society? Why or why not?

Answers to this question will vary based on the reader's opinion. However, at least one of the following should be addressed-- the isolation of the island, the feasibility of large numbers of people disappearing without an investigation, bans on hunting, advanced technologies to avoid traps like those set up by Zaroff around Ship-Trap island, etc.

How does the fact that the story took place on an island contribute to the story?

The island is a physical metaphor for the isolation and removal of this situation from mainstream society. The rules and customs of the surrounding world do not necessarily apply. Moreover, its location, in the middle of a thick, dark jungle, gives the story a certain mystique.

Do you agree with Zaroff's belief that "instinct is no match for reason"? Why or why not? In what ways does Rainsford demonstrate both instinct and reason during the hunt?

In order to answer this question the reader has to take a stance-- either reason or instinct reigns supreme to the other. The strength and pitfalls of each characteristic should be examined. In addition, examples can be drawn from Rainsford's actions during various parts of the hunt (i.e. the construction of traps, previous knowledge of hunting, etc).

Do you think that the story is a commentary on the ethics of hunting? Why or why not? What moral positions could be drawn out from the text?

A complete answer should cite the position of one of the character's in the novel, e.g. Rainsford, Zaroff, or Whitney. If citing Whitney, one might argue that there is a case to be made against all hunting. Zaroff would undoubtedly fall on the side of pro-hunting. Rainsford, on the other hand, starts off with a very pro-hunting position that morphs as he experiences life as prey.

Describe the ways in which Zaroff's character is oxymoronic.

Zaroff lives in a beautiful estate in the middle of a wild jungle. The juxtaposition of civilization with untainted land is reflective of his character. He partakes in the finest of food, wine, and clothing, yet has a barbaric way of approaching the sport of hunting. Interestingly enough, Zaroff does not view his position to be barbaric because he allows the men who he hunts a great deal of comfort prior to the beginning of the game.

The title "The Most Dangerous Game" can be read in two different ways. Describe them and how they relate to the story.

Game can be read as either describing a sport or a hunted animal. In the former, reference is made to the game into which Rainsford finds himself thrust-- a life or death game of hunt. The latter relates to Zaroff's desire to hunt the most dangerous animal of all, the human.

The Most Dangerous Game Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Most Dangerous Game is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

“He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” (Paragraph 207) What is the overall effect of the last line of the story?

This line tells us that Rainsford won his final showdown with Zaroff. This effectively ends this classic man vs man story.

The Most Dangerous Game Study Sync question #1

A- He is a superstitious person who believes in rumors and legends.

Which of the following infers about Whitney is best supported by the beginning of the story

a.he is a superstitious person who believes in rumors and legends

Study Guide for The Most Dangerous Game

The Most Dangerous Game study guide contains a biography of Richard Connell, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Most Dangerous Game
• The Most Dangerous Game Summary
• Character List

Essays for The Most Dangerous Game

The Most Dangerous Game essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell.

• Rainsford's Character in "The Most Dangerous Game"
• The Three Hunters
• The Most Dangerous Game: A Hunt For Morality
• Analyzing Suspense in ‘The Most Dangerous Game’
• Characterization in “The Most Dangerous Game”

Lesson Plan for The Most Dangerous Game

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Most Dangerous Game
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Most Dangerous Game Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Most Dangerous Game

• Introduction

“The Most Dangerous Game” Narrative Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
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Looking for The Most Dangerous Game essay examples? This paper analyzes the short story by Richard Connell. It explores The Most Dangerous Game themes & provides the story’s summary.

Introduction

• Summary of the Story
• The key theme

“The Most Dangerous Game” is a short story authored by Richard Connell published in 1924. It is a story about a hunter becoming the hunted. “The Most Dangerous Game” essay shall provide an analysis of the story. The main character Sanger Rainsford accompanied by his partner Whitney set out on a journey from New York to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The two are on a mission to hunt the Jaguar, a big cat in South America.

Summary of The Most Dangerous Game

The play notes here that Rainsford loves hunting to the extent that he calls it the best sport in the world. In the course of their discussion over their ability to hunt wild animals, they are terrified suddenly by gunshots and screams. This occurs at night.

The scare makes Rainsford fall off their boat into the Caribbean Sea in trying to rescue his pipe. The circumstance did not allow him to swim back to the ship. He then swims to an island, which is in the direction that the yells and gunshots had come from. This island also happens to be a Ship-Trap zone. On the Island, Rainsford finds two inhabitants living in a palatial mansion. General Zaroff is the owner of the island and an astute hunter.

The second person is Zaroff’s servant, who is deaf and mute. His name is Ivan. It is surprising that after the introduction, Zaroff has heard of Rainsford from the books he has read about him hunting leopards in Tibet, China. They then have dinner together. Zaroff’s explanation follows this to Rainsford on how he got bored with killing wild animals because the adventure did not bring challenges anymore.

His adventure surprises Rainsford, who, even after persuasion, refused to join. What happens when Rainsford refuses to hunt with Zaroff? Zaroff says that he now captures sailors whose ships are wrecked; he then sends them to the forest with food, dressed in full hunting regalia and a knife. The sailors now become his target and turn to hunt and kill them. Being a determined General, he sets his limits to three days. If by the third day neither Ivan, his hunting dogs nor himself have killed the prey, he lets them go.

However, his hunting skills had never allowed an escape to occur. Rainsford turns down the offer to join the hunting of human beings. Zaroff gives him two options. To become either the next prey to be hunted or Ivan whips him to death. Rainsford chooses the former.

The Most Dangerous Game Theme

In “The Most Dangerous Game,” dogs and Ivan play equally significant role in the plot. This is a dangerous game pitting Rainsford on one side and Zaroff’s entire team of Ivan and the dogs on the other side. It is the use of stamina and strength with the show of intelligence. Zaroff makes sure that Rainsford gets the standard treatment of a captive, including giving him food supplies and instructions. The challenge is risky but very intriguing. Rainsford starts by hiding his hunting tactics. He climbs a tree where he is very visible.

This serves to convince Zaroff that Rainsford is easy prey and immediately turns it into the game. The next flow of events proves that Rainsford is a guru in hunting. He sets a trap made of a massive log joined to a tripwire. The first casualty is Zaroff. His shoulder is injured, sending him back to the mansion to sleep. The trap he uses here, he calls it, a Malay man catcher. Day one is done, and Rainsford knows that he has two to go.

His trap on day two killed one of Zaroff’s hounds. This is a trap he nicknames the Burmese tiger pit. The third trap, a native Ugandan knife, kills his servant Ivan. Rainsford then throws himself over the cliff and swims back to the mansion to evade Zaroff. On returning home, the presence of Rainsford in his bed curtains causes Zaroff to salute him. Rainsford refuses this and challenges him for a fight. As the “The Most Dangerous Game” narrative essay shows, he is confident that he can handle him.

Rainsford considers the hunting of human beings as cold blood murder. The general takes the challenge. The challenge affects both whoever loses the duel would be fed to the dogs, and the winner will sleep on Zaroff’s bed. Rainsford expressed that he had never slept on a better bed before. This implies that he killed Zaroff.

“The Most Dangerous Game” essay proves that reading this play, we can see the conflict between man and wild animals. This appears to be acceptable in the story. In the beginning, Rainsford and his partner proudly talk about their experiences in hunting. They are also on a hunting mission to hunt a jaguar. Furthermore, Zaroff, who also explains to Rainsford how he was a good hunter of wild animals before he sort new challenges, has featured Rainsford in books for his hunting skills as read.

Zaroff introduces the second conflict that is between men. Zaroff launches his new adventure of killing people. He uses his wealth to prove his inhuman actions. He is chasing people to kill them like wild animals. This was, in fact, the cause of his death at the ending of the play.

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IvyPanda. (2018, June 18). “The Most Dangerous Game” Narrative Essay. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-most-dangerous-game/

"“The Most Dangerous Game” Narrative Essay." IvyPanda , 18 June 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/the-most-dangerous-game/.

IvyPanda . (2018) '“The Most Dangerous Game” Narrative Essay'. 18 June.

IvyPanda . 2018. "“The Most Dangerous Game” Narrative Essay." June 18, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-most-dangerous-game/.

1. IvyPanda . "“The Most Dangerous Game” Narrative Essay." June 18, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-most-dangerous-game/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "“The Most Dangerous Game” Narrative Essay." June 18, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-most-dangerous-game/.

The Most Dangerous Game

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Discussion Questions

Compare and contrast Zaroff’s character and Rainsford’s character. What similarities do the men share? What differences exist between them? How does Rainsford’s character transformation throughout the story affect your analysis?

Explain how Whitney acts as a foil for Rainsford.

How does Connell’s use of irony add to the story’s overall message?

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Most Dangerous Game Analysis

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