Obstacles In The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Conn-Ell

It had been a week since Rainsford managed to kill the nefarious General Zaroff. The challenging part was almost over or so it seemed. There was not a clear way for Rainsford to escape. As days passed, Rainsford tried to escape. He tried making a boat from driftwood that he found, he tried swimming, he even tried sending a signal by using a flashlight. Rainsford had become so desperate that he even tried some ridiculous plans like trying to pole vault across the ocean. As a result, Rainsford ended up having huge gashes in his left leg ,which got infected, and he had to amputate it. As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, Rainsford had lost hope and became bitter.

Even though clearly distraught Rainsford was able to make key decisions to save his life. “Nerve, nerve, nerve” he panted, as he dashed along …. Then he leaped far into the sea.”(18). This quote tells the reader even while battling nerves and running away from a pack of dogs Rainsford was able to make a imperative choice to save his life. Rainsford survives the three days to beat Zaroff and win the game but still feels uneasy will not rest until General Zaroff is dead. “I am still a beast at bay,” he said, in a low, hoarse voice.” Get ready, General Zaroff.”(18). This quote discloses to the reader that Rainsford felt like quarry and wanted Zaroff dead and was not satisfied with merely winning the game.This quote also shows what kind of man Rainsford is and how he is willing to die for what he feels is right. Rainsford battled many trials throughout the story but somehow managed to make the best out of each one.

Sanger Rainsford manages to beat General Zaroff at his own twisted game. It seems like all hope is lost, but not for Rainsford. He proves he can do whatever it takes to survive against all odds and he can push through even the toughest of situations. The key to Rainsford’s survival comes from his many survival skills; his true bravery shines through as General Zaroff comes closer to killing him, he is extremely clever; he can act fast when needed and he remains level headed through it all.

From the words of C.S. Lewis, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny”. Facing hardships and breaking free from their normal world allows the hero inside of people to come out. Many stories document this journey of a hero through the Hero’s Journey Archetype. In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, a man named Rainsford stumbles upon an island where humans are hunted by a crazed man. The hero’s journey archetype is implemented throughout Rainsford’s experiences in the story. Richard Connell used the Hero’s Journey Archetype to structure the plot and develop the theme that with clever thinking and lots of hope, one can succeed at anything.

C.S. Lewis one said “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny”. Facing hardships and breaking free from their normal world allows the hero inside of people to come out. Many stories document this journey of a hero through the Hero’s Journey Archetype. In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, a man named Rainsford stumbles upon an island where humans are hunted by a crazed man. The hero’s journey archetype is implemented throughout Rainsford’s experiences in the story. Richard Connell used the Hero’s Journey Archetype to structure the plot and develop the theme that with clever thinking and the use of past experiences, one can succeed at anything.

In the story The Most Dangerous Game one conflict is man vs nature. Rainsford is fighting nature because he is on a ship and he came across an island. Rainsford falls overboard and has to swim for safety. “All he knew was that he was safe from his enemy, the sea and the other was weariness on him”. In order to survive rainsford hast to swim to the island and find shelter. In the conflict man vs nature this shows Rainsford bravery.

     Rainsford is an intelligent man. Early in the story, “Rainsford remembered the shots. They had come from the right, and he doggedly swam in that direction” (34). Rainsford had just fallen in the water,

Rainsford return to the Mansion and begins to look around everywhere. He proceeds to the room with all the heads and begins laughing uncontrollably. Then he goes to the basement and sees a lot of dead bodies. They all appear to have been tortured and beat to death which was done by Ivan. Rainsford starts beating the bodies that are dead for no reason and doesn’t stop. He then heads back upstairs then grabs a drink and he sits down in peace.

Beyond his reactive and resourceful ways of thinking, Rainsford is visibly aggressive and energetic when he has to fight instead of fleeing. He refuses to allow himself to give up and be killed by Zaroff and decides to keep on running forward. As the hunter is escaping, he says, “Nerve, nerve, nerve!” and then “forced himself on toward that gap”, where he “leaped far out into the sea.” (14). Rainsford believed that he still had enough energy left to swim in the harsh waters. As a result, he experienced a rush of adrenaline due to how

After falling off the ship, Rainsford swam in the direction of where he heard three gunshots come from. The first thing he notices as he reaches the rocks was the large animal that had went in the underbrush and the blood stained on a patch of weeds. Rainsford then finds a cartridge and realizes that the animal had been shot with a twenty-two. He went on his way looking for something to show him the way to where the “men” he suspected to be on the island were. Just as he was hoping, he found prints of hunting boots. These small details showing how alert, intelligent, and descriptive he is says a lot about the character

“... he stopped before he has swum 50 feet. A certain coolheadedness had come to him; it was not the 1st time he had been in a tight place (20, 21). This example is just after Rainsford fell off of the yacht. His initial instinct was to pursue after the boat, Rainsford tries but fails. He then depends on long-term reasoning to grab hold of the situation and lead himself back to safety. Instead, If this man's reasoning did not come into play he most likely would have lost his energy and not have the capability of finding shipwreck island and drown. This is one example of many in the story when using reason instead of instinct kept the main character safe and alive, his instinct most likely would have left him

The General goes back to his mansion pleased that he has killed Rainsford. But Rainsford returns alive and finds his way back to the general. The general gives Rainsford the win but Rainsford does not care about the win, he wants to defeat the general once and for all. He attacks the general and kills him beating the

Both protagonists Rainsford in, The Most Dangerous Game and Farah in, Escape from Afghanistan have fierce determination. Rainsford shows his determination through his swimming and Farah shows hers through her walking. Rainsford survives the dangerous sea and Farah reaches Pakistan, both are successful in their journey. Therefore, they both set a great example for the reading audience to be determined to reach their goals. Everyone has wants, desires, aspirations and determination is the key to achieving them. Once someone is determined to fulfill their wants, they can achieve it.

Throughout history it becomes apparent that all the great stories: The Odyssey, Great Expectations, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are all founded on a similar theme. The same plot line, a hero, most often the protagonist, faces danger and adversity to the highest extreme but always comes out on top. He is depicted as the pinnacle of human triumph and in essence, demonstrates a fundamental strength that all men should strive to achieve. These stories were, “ full of darkness and danger. And sometimes one did not want to know the end; How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? In the end, it is only a passing thing. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out even clearer. Those

Even though realistic heroes’ challenges can be considered more pragmatic than those of fictional heroes, no matter what, every hero faces various challenges and use different techniques in order to solve these varying adversities caused by their destiny, trauma, and