Student Question
Did "The Most Dangerous Game" require you to suspend disbelief?
Quick answer:
"The Most Dangerous Game" does require suspension of disbelief. One reason is Zaroff's failure to kill Rainsford when he had the chance, which seems unrealistic for a life-or-death hunt. Another moment is Rainsford's survival after jumping off a cliff, which initially appears to be a suicide attempt. These plot points challenge the reader's acceptance of the story's realism.
Yes. I couldn't believe that when Zaroff had Rainsford up the tree that first day of the game that he didn't just kill him. I guess that wouldn't make for a very good ending. The author would not get to prove his point. All Zaroff did was just laugh and blow smoke rings up to Rainsford. If the game was a real game to the death, I believe Zaroff would have taken him out right then and there.
Another moment of disbelief for me was when Rainsford ended up in Zaroff's bedroom. I thought for sure when Rainsford jumped off the cliff that he was committing suicide. I thought he must have decided that it would be better to die of his own choice than to be caught by Zaroff.
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