22 pages • 44 minutes read
Richard ConnellThe Most Dangerous Game
Fiction | Short Story | YA | Published in 1924A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Hunting
Rainsford and Zaroff are both big game hunters, and the novel’s action revolves around the sport of hunting. Connell’s use of the hunting motif aids creates suspense and action, while also questioning the morality of big game hunting. Whitney and Rainsford are depicted as trophy hunters; they are en route to hunt jaguars in the Amazon, exotic animals that the men are not hunting for meat but sport. Zaroff, too, has done his share of trophy hunting but now pushes the limits of the sport not for the trophy but the adrenaline rush. Although Zaroff’s hunting practices are different from Rainsford’s, both have unhealthy views of the sport. Both men see themselves as powerful simply because of their birthrights as wealthy and educated men. They view their social position as justification for taking what they want from the world without thinking about the consequences. Neither is concerned about good stewardship of nature nor do they seek animals to provide meat for themselves or others. Connell’s choice to use hunting as the foundation for his story adds excitement and entertainment to the story but also functions to raise questions about what it means to hunt ethically.
Jungle Landscape and Palatial Chateau
Connell uses imagery to describe the jungle landscape in detail, indicating its wild and untamed qualities. The jagged rocks near the shoreline, dense trees, and dangerous swamp show the island landscape to be harsh and unforgiving. In this way, the landscape symbolizes Zaroff’s character: He is ruthless and cruel when it comes to hunting. The qualities of the island reflect the dark side of his character.
Zaroff’s palatial chateau stands in sharp contrast to the roughness of the island. It is a sign of cultivation and civilization amid the bleak landscape. The mansions’ high ceilings and tasteful decorations indicate comfort, power, and refinement. The chateau also symbolizes aspects of Zaroff’s nature. He speaks like an educated man of power and appears to be a kind and refined host. However, just as the palatial chateau stands in sharp contrast to the rough landscape surrounding it, Zaroff’s hospitable and polite manners stand in sharp contrast to his evil nature. Connell uses the island setting symbolically to highlight the paradox in Zaroff’s nature.
Sleep
Connell uses Rainsford’s ability to sleep to indicate his mental state. When Rainsford feels inner peace, he has no problem sleeping soundly. In contrast, when he feels inner turmoil, he struggles to rest. For instance, Rainsford feels drowsy on the ship deck in the dark night, and after falling overboard, expends physical energy in getting to shore. By the time he reaches the island, he is so exhausted that he immediately falls into “the deepest sleep of his life” (3). Although he has been through an ordeal at this point, he makes it to safety, and no qualms keep him from sleeping.
However, after meeting Zaroff and learning about his murderous hunting practices, Rainsford has difficulty sleeping. Despite the comfortable accommodations Zaroff provides, Rainsford cannot sleep, indicated by his nervous and unsettled mental state. Accordingly, Rainsford does not seem to get much sleep during the hunt, if any. He works during the day to create either a false trail or a trap for Zaroff and must be on his guard at night since Zaroff pursues him in the evening. Finally, the novel’s last line adds to the sleep motif. Connell uses a description of Rainsford’s sleep as the only indication that Rainsford wins the one-on-one battle with Zaroff. Now that he has conquered his cruel opponent, Rainsford sleeps soundly in Zaroff’s comfortable bed. Ironically, Rainsford seems peaceful at this point, even though he has just killed a man.
