Essay Sample on The Most Dangerous Game: Rainsford vs. Zaroff

In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, Zaroff forces Rainsford to play a game with him, Rainsford had to survive in the wild while trying to escape Zaroff for 3 days, if Zaroff caught Rainsford, Zaroff would kill Rainsford. I believe Rainsford should win because he’s quick yet smart, and he’s cautious. Unlike Rainsford, Zaroff took his time, tried to toy with Rainsford, and acted as if the game was a walk in the park.

Several situations had proven Rainsford can make quick yet smart decisions. For instance, not long after Rainsford had fallen off the boat, it states “Rainsford remembered the shots. They had come from the right, and doggedly he swam in that direction” (Connell, 3), for someone to make such a decision so quick while being in a sudden life or death situation, shows that Rainsford can make quick decisions and is smart about it. Being faster than your opponent is vital when it comes to hunting, and being smarter whilst being faster crowned Rainsford champion.

Another reason Rainsford should win is that he is cautious. An example of this would be when Zaroff was close to Rainsford during the hunt the story goes: “Rainsford held his breath.” and “ Rainsford froze there, every muscle tensed for a spring.”(Connell, 15). Rainsford was very cautious of Zaroff and therefore didn’t make any decisions he would soon regret. Since Rainsford didn’t make any hasty decisions, he was able to think wisely about the best course of action and he could stay hidden longer.

One might say Zaroff should win the game since he had played the game more than Rainsford and had won all of them. When Zaroff was talking about the game with Rainsford, Zaroff says “Many of them afford only the most elementary sort of problem. Occasionally I strike a tartar. One almost did win. I eventually had to use the dogs.”(Connell, 11). That does indeed conclude that Zaroff had played the game before, but he usually played with weak people, just because he had played it before doesn’t mean Zaroff can’t lose to somebody new to it since the game mostly relies on outside training, the prey also does not need to kill Zaroff to win, they only have to survive during the given time limit.

In conclusion, Rainsford had a better chance of winning against Zaroff. Rainsford being quick yet smart, and cautious is the main reason why he should win. Being quick, smart, and cautious are the main things needed to win their game and Rainsford was just that. Rainsford and Zaroff was the worst matchup which is ultimately why Zaroff will lose to Rainsford.