Rhetorical Essay: The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell

“What are the attributes of an ideal quarry? And the answer was, of course, It must have courage, cunning, and, above all, it must be able to reason. But no animal can reason," objected Rainsford. "My dear fellow," said the general, "there is one that can". This is the moment that Rainsford saw General Zoroff as a completely different animal. Rainsford no longer felt a sense of respect for General Zoroff, but felt a sense of danger and betrayal. 

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Conell is a short story about two respected hunters, crossing paths on an island. Rainsford respected General Zaroff as one of the best hunters and was very interested in him. His first thoughts were that Zoroff was a kind and caring man as he let Rainsford in and fed him. He felt a sense of superiority and wisdom from General Zaroff. After Rainsford was taken care of, he asked, ”What have you imported, general?” Even though Rainsford is in a strange predicament, he still views General Zoroff as a grand figure and seems to be very interested. Rainsford first thought was, “the man was singularly handsome; his second was that there was an original, almost bizarre quality about the general's face.” Rainsford felt that General Zoroff had compassion and had almost saved his life from being stranded on the island. He is described as quite tall and stern, almost like a monster. This idea of him being a monster comes to life as the conversation continues and General Zoroff reveals his true intention.

“Hunting?” Asked Rainsford, stunned about the words he just heard. “Great Guns, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder.” Rainsford felt that he had morals to not hunt and kill humans, but General Zoroff was an entirely different animal. He did not see hunting humans as murder, but as animals for the thrill of the hunt. Rainsford changed his entire view on Zaroff, but the worst was yet to come. Even hunting humans for General Zoroff was not enough. Once Rainsford asks to leave, General Zoroff suggests that Rainsford play the game for his survival, suggesting that, “you will find my idea of sport more diverting than Ivan’s?” This is when Rainsford saw a whole different person sitting in front of him. Rainsford had originally felt grateful for General Zoroff’s hospitality, but seems to disregard all of his work for what he has said. After the hunt when Rainsford survives, he could leave the island. However, Rainsford has other ideas. He arrives at where General Zoroff stands, and murders him. Something he never would have dreamt of.

The Most Dangerous Game has many key moments that impact the story and change the view of Rainsford. His respect that he had for General Zoroff was lost with just a couple of words. He felt like General Zoroff was his idol and was a respected hunter similar to himself. Rainsford has a passion for hunting, but General Zoroff took this passion to an extreme that Rainsford could not follow. Rainsford saw him not as a hunter, but a murderer. An insane murder at that. Even though Rainsford thought they were different, he still murdered him in the end, showing his true feelings towards him.