The Most Dangerous Game Group

Question:

taahirah
taahirah
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What do you admire or dislike about Rainsford in "The Most Dangerous Game"?

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Posted by taahirah on Monday October 12, 2009 at 8:39 PM and tagged with admire, characters, dislike, rainsford.

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  1. bullgatortail
    bullgatortail Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Sanger Rainsford, the main character in Richard Connell's short story "The Most Dangerous Game," is a world class hunter who falls off his yacht and swims ashore on Ship-Trap Island. Rainsford is resourceful, cunning and physically imposing. He is intelligent, well-read and worldly, since he recognizes many of the fine accoutrements in Zaroff's home. He enjoys a good meal, a fine wine and a comfortable bed. He keeps his head even under the most trying conditions, and he has nerve enough for many men.

    The fact that he is a skillful hunter may not necessarily be a positive trait, especially to animal rights activists. But unlike Zaroff, hunting animals satisfy him--at least until the end of the story when his desire for revenge overwhelms him.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/most-dangerous/characters

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    Posted by bullgatortail on Monday October 12, 2009 at 9:33 PM


  2. cldbentley Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    An admirable trait of Rainsford's is his perseverance.  He does not give up during any of the challenges with which he is faced.  When Rainsford falls into the ocean, he swims until he reaches shore, despite the fact that fatigue threatens to overwhelm him.  After General Zaroff informs him of his delight in hunting humans, Rainsford refuses to accept this idea and is forced to play the role of the hunted for his doing so.  Persistence and determination, in addition to his skills as an outdoorsman and his inate cleverness, enable Rainsford to ultimately defeat General Zaroff.  Had Rainsford possessed any less perseverance, he probably would have died either from drowning or at Zaroff's hands.

    In the beginning of the story, Rainsford shows a certain degree of cockiness and hardheartedness.  This is evident in his obvious lack of sympathy for or consideration of the feelings of his prey.  It is not necessary that hunters be unfeeling or kill casually.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/most-dangerous/characters

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    Posted by cldbentley on Tuesday October 13, 2009 at 9:18 AM