The Most Dangerous Game

Words: 1063
Pages: 5

According to Merriam Webster Online Dictionary, a conflict is, “to be different in a way that prevents agreement : to say or express opposite things.” The short story, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, is about a man named Mr. Rainsford who fell off his yacht and came across an island inhabited by a man named General Zaroff. General Zaroff is a hunter who hunts for his own amusement. But he doesn't hunt animals, he hunts people. He hunts down the sailors that crash onto “Ship Trap Island” which would possibly mean that Mr. Rainsford is next. Mr. Rainsford likes to hunt but when he meets General Zaroff, hunting is going to be a whole new world. Conflict used in the story created suspense, and drama, and developed the plot. Conflict …show more content…
In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game”, there was always a dramatic element that kept the story interesting and suspenseful. The text states, “A trace of anger was in the General's black eyes, but it was there for but a second, and he said, in his most pleasant manner: "Dear me, what a righteous young man you are! I assure you I do not do the thing you suggest. That would be barbarous. I treat these visitors with every consideration. They get plenty of good food and exercise. they get into splendid physical condition. You shall see for yourself tomorrow" (6-7). This is dramatic because the General only treats his guests to their uncertain death which is ironic when he says, “I treat these visitors with every consideration” because what he is doing is very vicious and cruel. When he mentions “I do not do the thing you suggest. That would be barbarous.” This is exaggerated because what he is doing is very barbarous and the “thing he suggests” is murdering innocent people. Which creates conflict because his uncivilized acts are a problem for Mr. Rainsford. Another example of conflict would be the whole idea of the most dangerous game. This conflict would be, “You've a genuine new thrill in store for you, Mr. Rainsford…. ‘Thank you, I'm a hunter, not a murderer.’ " This is dramatic because in order to become a murderer you would have to kill a living thing and because Mr. Rainsford hunts, he’d be a murderer. This would mean that if Mr. Rainsford were to play the hunting game with General Zaroff, he wouldn’t be a murderer because he doesn’t kill people. The drama between the two characters, General Zaroff and Mr. Rainsford creates the dramatic