The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell Dialectical

“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell Dialectical Journal: Characters

Dialectical Journal Quote: “You’ve good eyes, said Whiney with a laugh, “and I’ve seen you pick off a moose moving in the bush at 400 yards…” (Connell) Context: Whitney and Rainsford are on board the ship heading to South America, talking about the mysterious Ship Trap Island. Commentary: Early on in the short story, Connell begins developing the character of Rainsford. With Whitney providing the indirect characterization, Rainsford’s hunting partner lets the reader know that Rainsford is a remarkable hunter, possessing all of the necessary tools, including great eyesight, to be one of the best in the world at his craft. Making a kill shot at 400 yards is no easy feat.

Dialectical Journal Quote: "Don't talk rot, Whitney, " said Rainsford. "You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels? " (Connell) Context: The conversation turns to the hunting that they will be doing. Commentary: When Whitney shows some concern for the animal they will be hunting, Rainsford counters his argument. Rainsford does not seem much like a thinking man, at least not in the philosophical sense, and his lack of concern for the jaguar could say something of his lack of empathy, not just for the animals, but perhaps for his fellow man as well.

Dialectical Journal Quote: "This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters” (Connell) Context: The conversation continues. Commentary: Again, Rainsford shows his nature. It sounds as if he believes the strong, i. e. the hunters, and only the strong, shall survive. Perhaps this again shows a side of Rainsford that lacks any sort of empathy, particularly for those he considers weak.

Dialectical Journal Quote: “Desperately he struck out with strong strokes after the receding lights of the yacht, but he stopped before he had swum fifty feet. A certain coolheadedness had come to him; it was not the first time he had been in a tight place” (Connell) Context: Rainsford has fallen overboard into the Caribbean Sea. Commentary: Indirect characterization (Rainsford’s actions) Most people in such a situation would panic, and at first, Rainsford does. But he realizes that swimming after the boat or screaming for help would be useless. He is calm under pressure, using his wits to get himself out of tough situations.

Dialectical Journal Quote: “… he saw to his great astonishment that all the lights were in one enormous building--a lofty structure with pointed towers plunging upward into the gloom. His eyes made out the shadowy outlines of a palatial chateau; ” (Connell) Context: Rainsford has wandered through the jungle and come upon a massive building illuminated by great banks of bright lights. Commentary: Through the description of Zaroff’s house (indirect characterization), we learn that the man has an appreciation for the finer things in life. His “house” looks like a castle, a place that serves as home to a king. Does Zaroff consider himself a king? Connell’s word choice, or diction, emphasizes Zaroff’s desire to have the best, using words like “lofty” and “chateau. ”

Dialectical Journal Quote: “Then Rainsford saw the man's free hand go to his forehead in a military salute, and he saw him click his heels together and stand at attention. Another man was coming down the broad marble steps, an erect, slender man in evening clothes” (Connell) Context: Commentary: Zaroff – Ivan, obviously his servant, treats the man like a king, showing him respect with a salute as he walks down the stairs. He immediately turns his attention to the General, telling us that Zaroff has a commanding air about him. Zaroff appears to be a man who is used to people showing respect, perhaps fear? , toward him. His clothes suggest that idea of enjoying the finer things in life. It’s not just anybody who has clothes for different parts of the day. The way he carries himself, standing straight and tall, suggests perhaps an air of superiority (he is a general, after all), and maybe the fact that he is a proud man.

Dialectical Journal Quote: “In a cultivated voice marked by a slight accent that gave it added precision and deliberateness, he said, ‘It is a very great pleasure and honor to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home’" (Connell) Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: “His eyes, too, were black and very bright. He had high cheekbones, a sharpcut nose, a spare, dark face--the face of a man used to giving orders, the face of an aristocrat” (Connell) Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: “It was to a huge, beam-ceilinged bedroom with a canopied big enough for six men that Rainsford followed the silent giant. Ivan laid out an evening suit, and Rainsford, as he put it on, noticed that it came from a London tailor who ordinarily cut and sewed for none below the rank of duke” (Connell). Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: “There was a medieval magnificence about it; it suggested a baronial hall of feudal times with its oaken panels, its high ceiling, its vast refectory tables where twoscore men could sit down to eat. About the hall were mounted heads of many animals--lions, tigers, elephants, moose, bears; larger or more perfect specimens Rainsford had never seen. At the great table the general was sitting, alone” (Connell) Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: “Whenever he looked up from his plate he found the general studying him, appraising him narrowly” (Connell). Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: “I live for danger, Mr. Rainsford“ (Connell) Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: “There is no greater bore than perfection" (Connell) Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: "Hunting? Great Guns, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder“ (Connell) Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: "I refuse to believe that so modern and civilized a young man as you seem to be harbors romantic ideas about the value of human life” (Connell) Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: "Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong” (Connell) Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: “I hunt the scum of the earth: sailors from tramp ships--lassars, blacks, Chinese, whites, mongrels--a thoroughbred horse or hound is worth more than a score of them“ (Connell). Context: Commentary:

Dialectical Journal Quote: “He raised his hand, and Ivan, who served as waiter, brought thick Turkish coffee” (Connell). Context: Commentary: