Analysis of Richard Connell's short story "The Most Dangerous Game".

1. Mr. Denison’s 3rd Hour
Class
The Most Dangerous Game: Analysis
Keynote

2. Plot elements & Figurative Language
Literary elements help stories capture readers’ interest by providing key details. Key
details can be something as simple as the use of figurative language. Figurative
language shows how one idea is similar to another by comparison. Figurative language
also allows us to see how characters feel by comparing real things with abstract
notions. This is evident on page nine when it says “He lived a year in a minute.” This
quote may seem simple; however, it shows the reader the depth of emotion that
Rainsford felt, not knowing whether he would live or die. This is important because in
such moments the most important things have a way of materializing. A plot is a
sequence of events, the “why” things happen the way that they do. An example of
personification “the wash from the speeding yacht slapped Rainsford in the face. This
use of personification is important because it is the first conflict in the story and hints
to the reader that more conflict is to come.

3. Conflict & indirect and direct
characterization
If there were no conflict in “The Most Dangerous Game,” it would make the short story seem
lifeless. However, Connell’s story is not in danger of being lifeless due to the great quantity of
conflict it contains. Conflict is evident in the sentence “In his hand the man held a long-barreled
revolver, and he was pointing it straight at Rainsford’s heart.” This conflict is important because it’s
the first conflict Rainsford has had with another person in the story; it also foreshadows Rainsford’s
lack of control concerning his life. Another example of conflict is “Precisely, said the General. That
is why I use them. It gives me pleasure They can reason after a fashion. So they are dangerous.” This
is when Rainsford realizes that general Zaroff hunts people. Rainsford, the protagonist, does not like
this, which creates a major conflict in the story. Characterization can play a big part in this by
showing how the characters cause conflict. It could also cause the readers to have strong feeling
towards the characters. The author uses indirect characterization when the text quotes, “My hand was
made for the trigger, my father said. He was a very rich man with a quarter of a million acres in the
Crimea and he was an ardent sportsman.” This quote is showing that the General is cocky and a
showoff.

4. Mood and Theme
“The Most Dangerous Game” is a story that has mood and theme. An
example of theme in this story is “keep your friends close and enemy’s
closer”. Another example, mood is whenever the main character
Rainsford, met general Zaroff and shook hands. Example one talks about
theme. Theme is what the author wants you to feel at the end of the story.
Another mood is when general Zaroff asks Rainsford to play the game,
when Zaroff says that it sounds like he has a burning desire to kill
Rainsford even though he doesn’t know him.

5. Syntax and Tone
Syntax and tone is often used in the story to create excitement in the reader. The author uses syntax and
tone to make the story more in depth. By using tone, the author can show how the characters feel to
connect with the reader. The author uses a matter-of-fact tone. An example of this tone would be “ a
business like air animated him.” The author uses this tone so that the reader will feel the tension and
potential danger of the situation among the characters. Syntax is the way authors choose to shape the
story. In the story, the author uses long sentences to show detail as well as describe places in order to
furnish the reader imagery and make the story’s meaning resonate with the reader. An example of syntax
is, “There was a chance that his cries could be heard by someone aboard the yacht, but the chance was
slender and grew more slender as the yacht raced on.” An example of a long syntax sentence would be, “
Ten minutes of determined effort brought another sound to his ears- - the most welcome he had ever
heard- -the muttering and growling of the sea breaking on a rocky shore. He was almost on the rocks
before he saw them; on a night less calm he would have shattered against them. With his remaining
strength he dragged himself from the swirling waters.” This is evident on page two. Short sentences can
explain little details. They explain little details that tell a lot of information. If the story does not include
long or short sentences to explain detail, the reader would become bored. Short sentences are good to
have in a story mainly because if you have only long sentences the story may become less interesting to
the reader. It is used to create a punch and make a point.