Tension And Suspense In Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game

‘“I rather think [animals] understand one thing –fear. The fear of pain and death”’ (1) declares Whitney, a character from The Most Dangerous Game. Sanger Rainsford, the protagonist in this tale written by Richard Connell, experiences what prey feels like, as the hunter, becomes the hunted. The prize of survival becomes more valuable as the story unfolds. Apprehension heightens as Rainsford reaches for the prize. Throughout this narrative, the Author clearly applies agonizing helplessness and exhilarating slow revelation to create suspense in the reader.

In order to build suspense, the author plays on the reader’s vulnerability. During lunch, Zaroff’s seeming concern for Rainsford’s health gives the reader false hope. The general’s sudden

Zaroff entertains Rainsford at dinner with exhilarating stories of hunting around the world. Deliberately, he expounds how he had to “‘stock the island’” (6) for his newly “‘invent[ed] …animal’” (7). He then explains how “‘[he] bought this island, built this house” and hunts “’the most exciting [game] in the world’” (7). Seeing that Rainsford needs more enlightenment, Zaroff clarifies by stating that this is, “’quarry with which [he] can match [his] wits’” (7). The reader, like Rainsford, is on the edge of his seat wondering what this mystical animal is. When the reader eventually identifies the animal through Zaroff’s description, he feels a cold horror and begins to fear for Rainsford’s life. He is shocked at Zaroff’s lack of conscience. Similarly, after spending a long night in the jungle, terrified of his shadow, Rainsford desperately clings to a tree when he hears evidence of his pursuer. The unhurried concentration of Zaroff is obvious as his eyes begin, “traveling inch by inch up the tree” (10). The reader is transfixed and dismayed as, “a smile spread[s] over [Zaroff’s] brown face” (12). It is clear that “the general [is] playing with him” (12). The measured “inch by inch” movement of the general causes the reader to lean forward in anticipation, holding his breath. Upon seeing the general smile, he feels certain that Rainsford’s hiding spot has been disclosed and that he is