silhouette of a man with one eye open hiding in the jungle

The Most Dangerous Game

by Richard Edward Connell

Start Free Trial

Discussion Topic

Developing Thesis and Topic Sentences for "The Most Dangerous Game"

Summary:

In "The Most Dangerous Game," readers can infer that Rainsford is wealthy, not deeply empathetic, and a composed strategist, which aids his survival. General Zaroff embodies a twisted sense of honor, valuing the game's rules over its outcome. Effective topic sentences for character analyses highlight Rainsford's transformation through his ordeal and Zaroff's downfall due to arrogance. Themes of cruelty and violence are evident in the characters' lack of compassion for their prey. A potential thesis could explore whether Rainsford will emulate Zaroff's actions.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

What are three inferences you can make while reading "The Most Dangerous Game"?

If a reader is being asked to make inferences from the text of a story, I usually recommend making inferences about a character. In making these inferences, you can look at indirect characterization, where readers are not specifically told direct information about a character from a narrator or another character. We have to infer about a character based on how that character acts and talks as well as how other characters act and respond to the character.

I think one inference that can be made about Rainsford is that he is likely a fairly wealthy individual. Readers can infer this about him based on the fact that he is traveling a long distance to go hunting big game. That's not a cheap hobby. Additionally, he and Whitney are hoping that the guns come from "Purdey's." Purdey was established in 1814, and they make some of the best and most...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

expensive long guns in the world. The Damas version of their over-and-under shotgun currently sells new for more than $165,000. The fact that Rainsford can afford to have one of those guns shipped to his hunting destination shows that he isn't hurting for money.

We can also infer that while he is a very good hunter, he isn't an exceptionally deep thinker. He scoffs at the very notion of animals having feelings. I also think this quote shows that Rainsford isn't capable of much empathy either:

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

Finally, I think it has to be said that Rainsford isn't somebody given to panicking, and he is still capable of creative and logical thought even in the midst of an incredibly stressful situation. This is what makes him so fun to hunt for Zaroff, but it is also why Rainsford is able to survive the entire encounter. Each of these inferences serves to round out Rainsford as a much fuller and more vibrant character.

References

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

The Honorable Zaroff.  Despite the barbaric intent of General Zaroff's desire to hunt human beings, he still displays a sense of honor and chivalry that he must have maintained from his military days. When he announces that he plans to hunt Rainsford that night, Rainsford wonders what he can expect if the impossible happens--if he wins.

     "I'll cheerfully acknowledge myself defeat if I do not find you by midnight of the third day," said General Zaroff. "My sloop will place you on the mainland near a town." The general read what Rainsford was thinking.
     "Oh, you can trust me," said the Cossack. "I will give you my word as a gentleman and a sportsman..."

Rainsford probably does not believe Zaroff, but I had an inkling that the rules of the game would be even more important to the Cossack than the actual victor. Sure enough, when he is surprised in his bedroom by the very much alive Rainsford, Zaroff "made one of his deepest bows," and announces that Rainsford has "won the game." It is Rainsford who breaks the rules, claiming that he is "a beast at bay," and the hunt continues.

Rainsford the Soldier.  Rainsford's war service is never directly discussed, but a single allusion suggests that he was also a World War I veteran.

     Rainsford had dug himself in in France when a second's delay meant death.

It suggests that he was not just a killer of animals, but a former soldier who could defend himself and kill another man if necessary.

Rainsford the Killer.  We don't know for certain that Rainsford killed Zaroff, but it can be inferred that he had reverted to a savage himself by the final line of the story:

     He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.

How else could Rainsford had slept so comfortably if Zaroff had not been disposed of?

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

What is a good topic sentence for "The Most Dangerous Game"?

To write a full character analysis, it's important to know how writers accomplish characterization. They do it through:

  • what the character does
  • what the character says
  • how the character is described
  • what other characters say about the character

In terms of writing a character analysis in "The Most Dangerous Game," it will depend on whether you're writing about Rainsford or Zaroff.

A topic sentence for a character analysis of Sanger Rainsford could read something like this:

Because Sanger Rainsford is able to control his fear of being killed by a madman and rely on his intelligence and the experience he has gained as a hunter, he ultimately prevails.

A topic sentence for a character analysis of General Zaroff could read something like this:

Despite the obvious advantages he has over Rainsford, such as knowing the geography of the island, possessing tracking dogs and superior weaponry, General Zaroff's overconfidence and arrogance prove to be his undoing.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

What are three topics that support the thesis of "The Most Dangerous Game"?

I'm guessing your question concerns "The Most Dangerous Game" since that is the group your question is posted under.  The wording of your question is a bit confusing.  Do you mean three EXAMPLES that support the THEMES of the story?   I know cruelty and violence are themes in the story and in terms of topics that support it, I would assume you could consider instances, or situations, in the story which lend themselves to evidence these themes.  One could be the two men and their lack of compassion for their prey, as seen in Rainsford in the opening scene when he plainly states to Whitney "Who cares how a jaguar feels" when asked to consider his prey, and then by General Zaroff when he shows his primary concern is in dealing with a "worthy opponent", namely humans. 

Hope this helps!  Please rephrase your question to clarify what it is you need. The terms "topic" and "thesis" are rather confusing.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

What is an example of a thesis statement from "The Most Dangerous Game"?

I think that this depends some on what interests you about this story.  If there is some aspect of it that really interests you, you should write about that.

I think one thing you could write about is whether Rainsford is going to end up taking over Zaroff's set up on the island.  Is he going to start hunting people?  You could look for stuff in the story that seems to say one way or the other -- stuff that tells what kind of a person he is.  I'd write a sentence that looked something like this.

In this story Sanger Rainsford is no better than General Zaroff.  I believe that he will take over from Zaroff and start hunting people himself.

Approved by eNotes Editorial