The Most Dangerous Game Essay

            It is an uncommon occurrence for someone to hunt another human.  In the story The Most Dangerous Game the main character Rainsford is pursued by General Zaroff after he falls overboard and lands on what is thought to be a deserted island.  Richard Connell creates suspense throughout the story by using cause and effect relationships as examined in the subsequent examples.

            After struggling to shore and gathering his wits, Rainsford remembers that he heard gunshots coming from the island.  He concludes that the island is inhabited.  Using his hunting skills, he follows a boot trail.  He comes upon a large mansion and discovers the owner has a liking for hunting.  The General explains he has hunted every known animal and it no longer gives him a thrill, so he has found a new type of animal to hunt.  “If I wish to hunt, why should I not?  I hunt the sum of the earth-sailors from tramp ships-lascars, blacks, Chinese, whites, mongrels-a thoroughbred horse or hound is worth more than a score of them” (Connell 27).  Hunting man is the General’s idea of the most dangerous game.  He explains to Rainsford that unlike an animal, man can reason and is there for the perfect prey.  Rainsford is appalled at the idea of hunting another human and declines General Zaroff’s offer to hunt with him.  Rainsford doesn’t realize that he has just set the wheels in motion for the most exciting hunt General Zaroff has ever had.

            Rainsford goes to bed, but doesn’t sleep a wink.  Somewhere on the island he hears a gunshot and knows the General has claimed another head.  The next morning Rainsford and the General are eating lunch when the General confides to Rainsford that during his hunt the night before he felt traces of boredom.  Rainsford asks the General to send him home.  His request gives General Zaroff an idea.  “Rainsford observed the dead black eyes of the general on him, studying him.  General Zaroff’s face suddenly brightened” (Connell 30).  Since Rainsford refused to hunt with General Zaroff the General decides Rainsford would make for very good sport.  General Zaroff challenges Rainsford and gives him no choice, but to play the game.  As Rainsford sets off into the jungle he realizes he has to keep his nerve or he will surely lose.

            After hours of trekking through the jungle Rainsford hides in a tree.  His attempts to lose the General were futile.  He sets traps and successfully kills Ivan, the General’s assistant, and one of the general’s hunting dogs.  Rainsford hurts the general and prolongs the hunt, but still the game remains in a stalemate.  Rainsford frantically tries to think of a plan as General Zaroff and his hounds close in on him.  As a last minute resort he jumps into the sea below.  Rainsford had a plan and the General would not realize he had lost until he turned on the light in his bedroom and saw Rainsford.  “I am still a beast at bay,’ he said in a low, hoarse voice.  ‘Get ready, General Zaroff” (Connell 36).  Rainsford kept his whit.  It was when he knew he would not survive as prey that he decided to make the hunter become the hunted.

            Every cause in this story was like a ripple in a pond.  There were many cause and effect relationships that lead to Rainsford being hunted.  Each one added suspense to the selection and they all contributed to the final outcome.