Hunting In The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell

In The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell suggests that the hunter is not that different from the hunted when the big game hunter Rainsford becomes general Zaroff’s prey.

Rainsford believes that hunting is a game because he doesn’t value the lives of the animals he hunts. When conversing with his hunting companion Whitney, Rainsford presents his view of the subject by stating that, ”You’re a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?”(92). Contradicting his superior’s opinion, Whitney suggests that “they understand one thing—fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death.”(92). Suggesting that perhaps all living organisms are united through the universal concept of fear, he challenges Rainsford’s belief that “The

Arguing with the general, Rainsford becomes his next target of prey. “Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels”(111). This external transition from predator to prey connects the natural symbiotic relationship between these opposing sides. This relationship allows Rainsford to experience and understand the prey creating a personal connection. From this experience, he gains a new appreciation, and begins to better value the lives of the prey. The line separating these two classes is further blurred when Rainsford kills the general out of self-defense, while still in the mindset of the prey, not the predator. After having won the game, Rainsford returns to face the general unhappy. “Rainsford did not smile. ‘I am still a beast at bay,’”(112). “I am still a beast at bay” refers to Rainsford’s new connection to the animals he had hunted because although he had already won General Zaroff’s “game”, he still feels like he is the prey trapped on the island. He began as a hunter who was put into a position where he externally transitioned into the position of the prey. Therefore, when Rainsford “murders” General Zaroff, he had already unknowingly transitioned back to being a hunter, but in the confusion he still considers himself the prey. This displays the predator-prey relationship in which the predator can mistakenly becomes the prey and vice