Literary Elements in The Most Dangerous Game (Book Analysis)

Sometimes, an author will use literary elements to try and get an idea through to a reader. While writing “The Most Dangerous Game,” author Richard Connell uses these to characterize General Zaroff and Rainsford.The author uses similes and metaphors to show that the General is indirectly characterized as wicked or wrongful. Rainsford is indirectly characterized as cunning and intelligent. 

The author uses similes and metaphors to show that the General is indirectly characterized as dishonorable or wicked. The General talks in such a way that you can almost picture his voice and him talking. In this sense, how the author writes the General’s lines tell you that he is not trustable. “‘Giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a sea monster with wide open jaws’” (pg 50).This is a simile because the author uses like or as to compare two things to each other. This is indirect characterization because the author describes the General through speech. While reading the General’s line, you can infer that he is a villain because of the way that he speaks and his choice of descriptive words. 

In the text, the general refers to Rainsford in a way that dehumanizes him. On page 57, Connell writes, “His quarry had escaped him.” This is a metaphor because the General is relating Rainsford to prey. This indirectly characterizes the General as immoral because he is comparing a human to an animal.  The author is using metaphors and similes in their writing to prove that the General is an evil person.

The author uses similes and metaphors to characterize Rainsford as cunning and intelligent. Rainsford beats the General by using his smarts and intelligence. Connell writes, “I am still a beast at bay” (pg 57). In this scene, the General thought that Rainsford was dead, however Rainsford managed to kill him. This is a metaphor because Rainford is telling the General Rainsford is telling the general that he still feels like he is a cornered animal that is willing and ready to fight.This indirectly characterizes Rainsford as cunning because he gets away from the General. 

Rainsford strategizes his plan so it is harder for the General to find him. Rainsford states, "I have played the fox, now I must play the cat of the fable” (pg 53). Rainsford just began to run away from the General and Rainsford decided that he should “become the cat”. He uses common sense instead of trying to be sly. This is a metaphor because Rainsford relates his experience to a cat and a fox. The author indirectly characterizes Rainsford as smart because he is doing the thing that makes the most sense and it worked. The author uses similes and metaphors to show that Rainsford is intelligent and clever.

It is clear that Connell uses figurative language in his writing to suggest the personalities of certain characters. Connell indirectly characterizes both Rainsford as smart and the General as evil. I agree with the author with the idea that Rainsford is considered good and the General is foul.