"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell

April 15, 2011

Loring- recorder
Anne Catherine- analyst
Caroline- leader

1st question (Anne Catherine):
In the beginning of the story, Rainsford questions the huntee, asking himself if he feels the pain and fear when being hunted. In a way, he starts to feel sorry for the animals he hunts. Throughout the story he talks about killing humans as a cruel thing and is shocked when he finds who the General hunts in his games. However, at the end of the story, he kills the General. Was this a logical decision? Did Rainsford act on his own character, or did the General and the hunt change him?
Rainsford was acting out of his own character when he killed the General in order to protect himself and prevent others from being hurt and victimized also. (our groups opinion)
2nd question: (Loring):
Do you think the "game" is for pleasure and amusement, or do you think it is a daring game of survival; what is the motivation of the General and Rainsford in the game?
The General regards it as pleasure and amusement, but for Rainsford and the other huntees the game is simply a game of danger and struggle to survival.
3rd question: (Caroline):
Do you think Rainsford thought that he could beat the General in their hunting game? If not, why do you think he still fights with the General? If yes, what is Rainsford trying to prove about morals and human rights through his fighting?
Rainsford did have hope and optimism when hiding and fighting against the General, but he did not know for sure if he had the true ability and luck to beat the General. He fights with the General because it is the only chance he has at life, and he knows if he wins that he will prove Rainsford's morals wrong. 


Diction/Language
Similes: the author uses similes in the story to allow the reader a better visual understanding of what is happening.
--Ex: He strained his eyes in the direction from which the reports had come, but it was like trying to see through a blanket. 
--"One does not expect nowadays to find a young man of the educated class, even in America, with such a naive, and, if I may say so, mid-Victorian point of view. 
--It's like finding a snuffbox in a limousine."where there's none; giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a sea monster with wide-open jaws. (and more) 
Also, the author allows the reader to guess and enjoy the story by providing suspense and mystery.