Intelligence in The Most Dangerous Game Literary Analysis Essay

Intelligence is often thought about as something that is used solely in educational circumstances, however, intelligence comes in many different forms and it is often overlooked how essential it is in one’s life. Intelligence is the way in which someone can use critical thinking in order to solve a problem or achieve a significant goal in life. To achieve intelligence, one must first acquire experience and be willing to take risks. In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, the character Rainsford does just that. He is forced into a strenuous situation where he must use his wisdom and experience to survive. Rainsford demonstrates his intelligence through his sophisticated decisions and actions throughout the story. Through the majority of the story, Connell demonstrates the theme of how intellect drives success through Rainsford’s wit and deception. 

Connell specifically uses Rainsford’s traps and plans to emphasize his use of wisdom in grueling situations. When Rainsford determined that General Zaroff was more experienced and clever than he thought, Rainsford decided to skillfully build a device that could weaken the general. Connell describes, “Rainsford took his knife from its sheath and began to work with all his energy. The job was finished at last, and he threw himself down behind a fallen log a hundred feet away… Even as he touched it, the General sensed his danger and leapt back with the agility of an ape. But he was not quite quick enough; the dead tree, delicately adjusted to rest on the cut living one, crashed down and struck the general a glancing blow on the shoulder” (Connell 54). Rainsford knew that he would not be able to evade the general without slowing him down, so the fact that Rainsford was able to think clearly in that circumstance directly characterizes him as someone who does not let distress overwhelm them. It can be determined from Rainsford’s swiftness and composure as he built his trap that he works well under pressure. In the same type of scenario, many people would let fear overwhelm them, however, Rainsford’s ability to remain calm in this situation allows the reader to understand more about Rainsford’s characteristics and traits. 

Later in the story, Rainsford continues to display his intelligence when it comes to intense circumstances. When Rainsford becomes aware that he needs to stop Zaroff from catching up to him, he decides to construct a trap that will defeat Zaroff or at least slow him down. Connell describes, “from some hard saplings, [Rainsford] cut stakes, and sharpened them to a fine point… he heard the sharp scream of pain as the pointed stakes found their mark” (56). This demonstrates how Rainsford’s ingenuity was crucial as it helped him slow down Zaroff who otherwise would have been able to kill him had he got any closer to Rainsford. Rainsford knows that the odds of getting away from the general were very low if he decided to simply run away from him. Utilizing his intellect and experience, Rainsford succeeded at avoiding a deadly encounter with the general by constructing an effective trap that would allow Rainsford time to increase his distance from himself and the general. Although Rainsford has to face many challenges throughout the story, due to his wit and experience, Rainsford is able to work through several strenuous situations without significant difficulty. 

Not only does Connell emphasize Rainsford’s wisdom throughout the story, but she also demonstrates Rainsford’s usage of trickery to deceive General Zaroff in order to succeed at his task. When Rainsford decided his best option was to build distance between himself and the general, he attempted to deceive Zaroff by making his trail hard to follow. Connell describes, “He executed a series of intricate loops; he doubled on his trail again and again… Rest brought him new confidence and almost a feeling of security… Only the devil himself could follow that complicated trail through the jungle after dark” (53). Due to his previous encounters with Zaroff, Rainford knew that he would have to execute a flawless plan in order to outsmart him. By making a series of loops, Rainsford knew that it would make it exponentially more difficult for Zaroff to locate where he was. This usage of deception exhibits how wise Rainsford is when it comes to working under pressure. In the same instance, many would let fear overwhelm them, however, the way in which Rainsford ignores the fact that Zaroff has the advantage and that the odds are significantly against him illustrates how Rainsford’s determination notably trumps the several drawbacks he has to face. Rainsford’s continuous use of expertise eventually leads to Zaroff’s demise by the end of the story. Rainsford heard the general’s dogs in the distance, however, Rainsford was nearing the ledge of a cliff. Rainsford planned on jumping off the cliff into the sea below him and then sneaking up on the general in order to succeed at his task. Connell describes, “Across a cove, he could see the gloomy gray stone of the chateau. Twenty feet below him the sea rumbled and hissed. He heard the hounds. Then he leaped far out into the sea… A man, who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed, was standing there. ‘Rainsford!’ screamed the general. ‘How in God’s name did you get here?’” (57). Although Rainsford was in such a grueling situation, the way in which he had the nerve to jump off the cliff and climb back up to Zaroff’s bedroom tells a lot about Rainsford as a character. It can be determined that he has determination and a strong will to live. The fact that Zaroff was surprised to see that Rainsford had snuck up on him and was still alive exhibits how Rainsford was successful at executing his plan flawlessly. Had Rainsford not used deception in order to confuse Zaroff, it is likely Rainsford would not have made his way out of this situation alive. Based on the actions that follow, it can be concluded that at the end of the story, Rainsford was triumphant at tricking and killing Zaroff. 

In the end, Connell truly exhibits how intelligence leads to triumph through Rainsfords wisdom and trickery. To possess intelligence is a skill within itself as it is one of the main factors that leads to victory. Those who build expirience and put in the effort can easily acquire intellect and in turn, be successful when needing to accomplish a difficult task.