Rainsford's Escape In The Most Dangerous Game, By Richard Connell

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Dinner parties that slowly transition from reasonably pleasant to extremely awkward with the revelation of one secret happen everyday. The dinner described in Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game;” however, has a more sinister connotation than the average uneasy, silence-inducing meal. Rainsford is initially comfortable in Zaroff’s lavish home and is rather at ease; however, once Zaroff reveals that his primary prey is humans, Rainsford’s comfort levels drastically decrease, causing the reader to understand that looks can be deceiving.
Rainsford is originally comfortable in Zaroff’s home. When he is first invited into Zaroff’s castle, Rainsford is in awe of the sheer wealth and status that Zaroff displays through his interior decorating and his uniform. Rainsford senses that Zaroff is above him in some way, either through the military or through disposition. However, instead of feeling inadequate because of this imbalance, Rainsford feels relaxed. He wants to learn from Zaroff and become friends with him. “He was finding the …show more content…
When Zaroff is exposing his tragic backstory to Rainsford, he tells him the reasoning for his lack of interest in hunting. “Simply this: hunting had ceased to be what you call ‘a sporting proposition.’ It had become too easy. I always got my quarry. Always. There is no greater bore than perfection.” (Connell 7) The general divulges that he has ‘invented’ a new animal to hunt—humans. This revelation is the source of Rainsford’s discomfort. He clearly disagrees with Zaroff’s morals and his defense of his quarry, replying, “Hunting? Great Guns, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder.” Rainsford’s attitude towards Zaroff completely changes after he tells him his secret. Any level of comfort is immediately removed and Rainsford begins to fear
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