The Hunt In Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game

To not be afraid of the hunt

Richard Connell unmasks the candor of the hunted and the hunter, “if I wish to hunt, why should I not? I hunt the scum of the earth – sailors from the tramp ships – lascars, blacks, Chinese, whites, mongrels– a thoroughbred horse or hound is worth more than a score of them.” In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” zaroff is a static character that remains evil, even through the chase. The flat character zaroff prefers a ‘more dangerous game’ he sees no thrill nor does he feel it, there is no remorse for the killings done by him only to gain excitement.

Scrutinizing the relationship between the hunter and the hunted, Richard Connell writes, “Perhaps,” said general zaroff “You were surprised that I recognized your name. You see, I read all books on hunting published in English, French, and Russian. I have but one passion in my life, Mr. Rainsford, and it is the hunt (Connell 222).

This is important because the demented zaroff tells Rainsford will be tortured by his assistant Ivan or even killed. Even later in the story zaroff tries to use different stratagems like the hound dogs to get Rainsford and outwit him before the three days are up.

For example, “you’ve done well, Rainsford, “the voice of the general called “Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best dogs. Again you score (Connell