In "The Most Dangerous Game," characterization, or the way characters are portrayed through descriptions, thoughts, and actions, helps to build the theme of the story because the protagonist is dynamic. A dynamic character changes from the beginning of the story to the end; therefore, as Rainsford's character changes, a theme is revealed. For example, at the start of the story, Rainsford and Whitney talk philosophically about hunting. Whitney considers the fact that a jaguar has feelings of fear and pain during a hunt. Rainsford, on the other hand, tells Whitney, "Who cares how a jaguar feels?" This discussion about hunting builds a foundation for a theme about whether it is ethical to kill animals since they have feelings and suffer from pain.

Over the course of the story, both the protagonist and the theme develop as Rainsford discovers exactly what it feels like to be "a beast at bay." The theme evolves from the morality behind hunting animals to whether one is ever justified in killing another person. For instance, in the beginning, the question that points to the theme is whether people are ethically justified to hunt animals. Well, how would a person feel if he or she is hunted? If a human is hunted like an animal, would that affect his or her philosophy about hunting and killing? To answer these questions, look at the climax and resolution of the story.

What type of characterization is used in Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game"?

Like most pieces of good literature, "The Most Dangerous Game" uses a combination of direct and indirect characterization to develop Rainsford and Zaroff. In this particular story, Connell is not shy about using direct characterization. That makes sense, as "The Most Dangerous Game" is a short story and Connell has a limited amount of page space to create these characters. Direct characterization occurs when the writer reveals character traits in a direct manner via the narrator or another character's comments. We see the latter option at the beginning of the story when Whitney flatly states that Rainsford has good eyesight. Another good example of direct characterization occurs when Rainsford meets General Zaroff and the narrator directly tells us about Zaroff.

Rainsford's first impression was that the man was singularly handsome; his second was that there was an original, almost bizarre quality about the general's face. He was a tall man past middle age, for his hair was a vivid white; but his thick eyebrows and pointed military mustache were as black as the night from which Rainsford had come. His eyes, too, were black and very bright. he had high cheekbones, a sharp-cut nose, a spare, dark face, the fa of a man used to giving orders, the face of an aristocrat.

Indirect characterization is more subtle, and it requires readers to deduce traits of a character through how that character acts, speaks, appears, and so on. The following quote from Zaroff can be used to illustrate indirect characterization within the story.

Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and if need be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my gift? If I wish to hunt, why should I not?

Based on this quote alone, a reader can infer that Zaroff is somewhat opinionated as well as entitled. He is used to getting his way and doing what he wants, and he doesn't really care who he hurts in the process. Readers will see additional evidence of this through Zaroff's intentional capturing of humans for the sole purpose of hunting them down for sport. He simply doesn't have strong opinions on the sanctity of human life. As Rainsford and Zaroff battle each other, readers can also infer that both men are creative, cunning, bold, and tough, and that is what makes their cat-and-mouse game so thrilling to read. They truly are evenly matched opponents.

What type of characterization is used in Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game"?

There are type types of characterizations in literature: direct and indirect characterizations. With direct characterizations, an author provides the reader with a very specific description of a character. For example, a character's physical description is provide by stating that the character is "tall with an athletic build." This offers a very specific mental image for the reader. Internally, a character can be described directly through distinct characterizations: "she was a kind person, willing to do anything for anyone." Readers know exactly the kind of person the character described is like. 

Indirect characterizations, on the other hand, require the reader to make inferences (educated guesses) about the covert characteristics offered. Here, readers must make inferences about the character based upon dialogue, actions, and private thoughts. For example, a character may be defined through his or her actions: "she looked around prior to taking the twenty dollar bill out of her father's wallet." Here, a reader would infer that the character is not trustworthy. Richard Connell uses both direct and indirect characterizations in his short story "The Most Dangerous Game." 

Indirect Characterization

"Rainsford sprang up and moved quickly to the rail." "When he opened his eyes he knew from the position of the sun that it was late in the afternoon." "He examined the ground closely and found what he had hoped to find--the print of hunting boots."

For all of the sentences above, Rainsford can be defined as nimble (quick), intelligent, and knowledgeable. His quick movement to the rail illustrates his nimbleness, while his knowledge of the position of the sun illustrates his intelligence. His expectations that he will find bootprints show his knowledge about hunting or tracking. 

Direct Characterization

"The first thing Rainsford's eyes discerned was the largest man Rainsford had ever seen--a gigantic creature, solidly made and black bearded to the waist." "Ivan is an incredibly strong fellow," remarked the general, "but he has the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. A simple fellow, but, I'm afraid, like all his race, a bit of a savage."

Here, the reader has no question about Ivan. He is a huge, muscular man with a very long black beard. Zaroff openly describes him as strong, deaf (unable to hear), and dumb (mute--unable to speak). 

What types of characterization are used in "The Most Dangerous Game"?

In his short story "The Most Dangerous Game," Richard Connel uses indirect characterization to describe the two main characters in the story. The reader also finds that by the end of the story the protagonist, Rainsford, is a dynamic character, meaning he changes over the course of the story.

Writers usually choose between direct or indirect characterization to reveal the traits of the characters in a story. With direct characterization the writer unequivocally tells us what the character is like. Indirect characterization shows things that reveal the personality of the character such as what the character says, what others say about him, his actions and how others react to him. 

The two main characters are Rainsford and General Zaroff. Both reveal themselves through what they say and their actions. In the beginning of the story Rainsford, who is a big game hunter, doesn't care about the feelings of the animals he hunts. In his discussion with Whitney on the yacht:

"Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. "You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?" 

What are some character traits of the main characters in "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell?

To me, the only two characters in this story that have any real personality are Rainsord and General Zaroff.

Zaroff is a very cold man.  He must be so in order to hunt human beings.  Another very important part of his personality, though, is the way he sees himself.  Although he is brutal, he sees himself as a very sophisticated and civilized man.

I would say that Rainsford's most important qualities are his resourcefulness and his courage.  Even though he almost ends up in despair while he is being hunted, he keeps his nerve in a very trying set of circumstances.

What are some character traits of the main characters in "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell?

In his famous story, "The Most Dangerous Game," Richard Connell creates two fascinating characters in General Zaroff and Rainsford.  The main difference between these two characters is the fact that while General Zaroff is candid about himself and realizes what he is, Rainsford is deluded.  For, in the exposition of Connell's narrative, Rainsford is unconcerned about the feelings of any prey that he goes after.  Later, after he is captured, Rainsford is appalled at Zaroff's preference for his "new sensation," the hunting of men.  When Zaroff suggests that Rainsford is not unlike him since he had "experiences in the war," Rainsford, stiffly replies,

'Did not make me condone cold-blooded murder.'

The irony, of course, is that in the rising action and climax Rainsford come to understand what it means to be a beast at bay--"he knew now how an animal at bay feels"--and in the denouement of the story, he becomes the cold-blooded hunter of a man, Zaroff, whom he kills.  Without compunction, Rainsford decides afterwards that "he had never slept in a better bed."

What type of characterization can you identify in "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell?

Characterization is evident in The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell in the way all 3 main characters (Sanger Rainsford, General Zaroff and Ivan) are developed.

Sanger Rainsford is a man who cares a great deal about hunting. In fact, the way ends up in this predicament is en route to a hunt. He is also well known for the work he has produced in relation to his hunting, as evidenced in the fact that Zaroff knows who he is before he introduces himself.

While being hunted, Rainsford proves to be resilient and resourceful: he never gives up and keeps encouraging himself to continue on. He is capable of creating traps and detours, and in the end proves a worthy component of General Zaroff's. In fact, he is the only one who has been hunted to "win" the most dangerous game.

General Zaroff is characterized as a psychotic, wealthy man, with little less to do with his money than to hunt people for sport. He has built his island to include all of the finer things offered in regular society; in fact, he has many accouterments that regular people in society do not (i.e. tailored linens, exceptional food and drink, etc.)

It is clear to see that he does not think his plan to hunt humans the least bit wrong. He admonishes Rainsford's shock by accusing him of having a "Puritan" upbringing. He further tries to persuade Rainsford by inviting him to hunt-he shows off his lot of dogs and brags about his "training" methods for those who unwittingly have fallen prey to the "channel" he set up in the waters.

Ivanis a "deaf and dumb" ex-Cossack. During his heyday, he was employed as a professional knouter (which is someone who inflicts pain on others through whippings as a form of punishment). He is characterized in the story as being a formidable opponent, as is evidenced in the way he answers the door, (with a revolver pointing at Rainsford's chest) and forces those who have the option of dealing with him or being hunted to choose the latter. He is depicted as strong in the way he handles to dogs and is described by Rainsford as a giant.

 He is further characterized to be loyal because he does anything the general asks of him and even dies as a result of one of Rainsford's traps.

What is the characterization in "The Most Dangerous Game"?

Your question isn’t quite clear with regard to the precise nature of the information you are requesting, but I will answer about characterization. There are two main characters in the short story, "The Most Dangerous Game," by Frank Connell. Sanger Rainsford is a dynamic character (also known as fat or round) because he grows and changes through the story. For example, in the beginning, his discussion with Whitney indicates that Rainsford has very little empathy for the things he chooses to hunt. He clearly expresses that they have no emotions. However, as the story progresses and he becomes the hunted he learns differently. Zaroff is a static character (also known as flat) because he shows no growth or development. He is simply there to propel the plot forward and offer an antagonist for Rainsford.