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

Whitney's character and role in Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game"

Summary:

Whitney in "The Most Dangerous Game" serves as a minor character who introduces the story's central theme of hunting. He discusses the feelings of the prey, setting the stage for the protagonist, Rainsford, to experience being hunted. His conversation with Rainsford also foreshadows the moral questions and dangers that Rainsford will face on Ship-Trap Island.

Expert Answers

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

What happened to Whitney in "The Most Dangerous Game"?

At the beginning of Connell's classic short story, Whitney and Sanger Rainsford have an enlightening conversation regarding the nature of prey and the sport of hunting as they are sailing towards the Amazon on a yacht. After Whitney elaborates on the ominous, foreboding nature of the nearby island, he heads to bed and walks below deck while Rainsford remains on the top deck smoking his pipe. While Whitney is sleeping below deck, Rainsford hears a gunshot in the distance from the direction of Ship-Trap Island. When he attempts to get a better look, he accidentally drops his pipe into the sea and falls overboard attempting to retrieve it. After falling into the Caribbean Sea, Rainsford desperately attempts to swim back to the yacht and begins to yell as loud as he can in hopes of getting someone's attention while the ship continues to sail away. Tragically, Whitney and the yacht continue to sail away toward the Amazon while Rainsford is forced to swim towards Ship-Trap Island, where he eventually becomes General Zaroff’s prey.

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

What happened to Whitney in "The Most Dangerous Game"?

Whitney is a minor character in “The Most Dangerous Game.” He is only mentioned at the beginning of the story to create the exposition. Whitney is on the yacht with Rainsford, and after Rainsford and Whitney have a discussion on the ethics of hunting, Whitney goes below deck to sleep for the night. When Rainsford falls into the water after hearing the gun shots, the yacht keeps going, taking Whitney with it. Whitney’s role in the story is important, however, because his discussion with Rainsford foreshadows the events to come. He gives the reader important information about Death-Trap Island, telling Rainsford that "The place has a reputation--a bad one."

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

What is Whitney's purpose in Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game"?

Whitney immediately sets the tone and mood of the story from the outset. Both the reader and Whitney's guest, Sanger Rainsford, are immediately intrigued when he utters the following:

"Off there to the right--somewhere--is a large island," said Whitney." It's rather a mystery--"

His second statement about the suggestive name of the island, as well as his references to 'curious dread' and 'superstition' emphasises the mysterious atmosphere and creates tension. The conversation is definitely not light and convivial but has a somber, dark quality.

Not only does Whitney break the tension in his remark about Sanger Rainsford's hunting skill, but he also acts as a secondary narrator, giving us insight into the character of the protagonist. The light banter continues and we learn, through Whitney's subtle prodding, what Rainsford's sentiments are about the hunter and his prey. It becomes clear that Rainsford has no sympathy for the animals he mercilessly hunts down and kills. In this way, the reader is also primed for some expectation that Rainsford is about to be taught a lesson.

In the conversation, Whitney also introduces a major theme in the story - fear. Rainsford's discomfort with regard to the topic is evident and he quickly turns attention back to the island. Whitney adds a more ominous tone to what he had said previously by mentioning that the island has a bad reputation. His suggestion about the nervousness of his crew and especially his references to the place being God-forsaken and that even the tough captain could sense the malice emanating from the island, create a sense of foreboding.

Whitney draws both the reader and Rainsford deeper into the mystery by suggesting that he himself felt "a mental chill; a sort of sudden dread." This further emphasises the ominous and foreboding mood mentioned earlier. Rainsford, the realist, dismisses this as superstition and again, the reader has a sense of expectation - Rainsford is, somehow, going to experience some kind of regret for his dismissive sentiment.  

Before leaving for bed, Whitney leaves Rainsford with a few final sentiments to consider:

But sometimes I think sailors have an extra sense that tells them when they are in danger. Sometimes I think evil is a tangible thing--with wave lengths, just as sound and light have. An evil place can, so to speak, broadcast vibrations of evil. Anyhow, I'm glad we're getting out of this zone.

The emphasis on evil creates an awareness in the reader that some unfortunate event or events are about to transpire. Furthermore, he introduces irony for we later discover that, although they get out of the zone, Rainsford gets caught in it.

Whitney, as it were, has set the table and we, the readers, are ready to tuck in.

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

What is Whitney's purpose in Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game"?

Nearly all the action in "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell takes place on the island known as Ship-Trap island. That is where Sanger Rainsford meets General Zaroff and becomes Zaroff's prey.

Whitney never sets foot on the island. but without him Rainsford would never have been there. Whitney is the captain of a ship which is traveling one night through the Caribbean, and Rainsford is his distinguished passenger. Whitney also tells Rainsford all about the island:

"The old charts call it `Ship-Trap Island.... A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition--"

Whitney prepares us, the readers, for something mysterious and ominous. Connell uses Whitney to provide foreshadowing for us and for Rainsford. 

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

What is Whitney's purpose in Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game"?

Whitney only appears in the beginning of the story. In order to figure out the purpose of this character, you need to examine the contribution that he has to the overall story. What does he say or do that ties in to the Main Character, Rainsford, or to the themes of the story.

Look at the conversation that Whitney has with Rainsford about hunting. After Rainsford comments about Rio having the best sport in the world, Whitney corrects him by stating "For the hunter. Not for the jaguar". To which Rainsford asks, "Who cares how the jaguar feels", and Whitney responds that "Perhaps the jaguar does".

This conversation continues and opens up the issue of hunting and the morality of its undertaking. Whitney also serves to introduce the background for the upcoming setting of "Ship Trap Island".

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

What are Whitney's feelings towards the island in "The Most Dangerous Game"?

Whitney feels fear as he and Rainsford pass the island at the beginning of the story. Part of the reason he feels this fear is because he knows what experienced sailors say about it. He believes that these sailors have a sixth sense about danger. This is very different than Rainsford, who does not know anything about the island and dismisses all legends as superstitious.  Here is what Whitney says:

"The old charts call it `Ship-Trap Island,"' Whitney replied." A suggestive name, isn't it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don't know why. Some superstition--"

As they get closer to the island, Whitney's fear only increases. He says to Rainsford that he felt a child down his spine. The place exudes terror. Here are the words of Whitney and Rainsford:

"There was no breeze. The sea was as flat as a plate-glass window. We were drawing near the island then. What I felt was a--a mental chill; a sort of sudden dread."

"Pure imagination," said Rainsford.

"One superstitious sailor can taint the whole ship's company with his fear."

As we can see, Rainsford dismisses the fear, Whitney feels it. In this case, Whitey is correct, because it is the island where Zaroff lives. More importantly, this is the place where Zaroff hunts humans. 

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

What does Whitney look like in "The Most Dangerous Game"?

Whitney’s appearance is never described, but his personality is.  Whitney is a minor character in this story.  We do know some things about him though.  He seems to be a bit of a philosopher.  Consider this conversation about hunting.

"The best sport in the world," agreed Rainsford.

"For the hunter," amended Whitney. "Not for the jaguar."

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

"Perhaps the jaguar does," observed Whitney.

Rainsford does not believe that animals deserve consideration for their feelings.  It’s probably a typical point of view for a hunter.  You can’t kill an animal if you think of it as having humanlike qualities like feelings.

Whitney is not able to convince Rainsford to sympathize for the animal here, but he gets the thought into his head.  Later on, Rainsford will definitely feel for them when he is in their position as Zaroff’s prey.

We also know that Whitney is superstitious.  Most sailors are, and they are on a ship full of them.  He shares with Rainsford many of the rumors about Ship-Trap Island while they pass it.  Rainsford tells him that he thinks he is making matters worse by passing on the rumors, but he explains that the island is evil.

Sometimes I think evil is a tangible thing--with wave lengths, just as sound and light have. An evil place can, so to speak, broadcast vibrations of evil.

Of course, in some ways, Whitney is right.  There is evil on the island.  It is not in the island though. It is in the form of a person.  General Zaroff is doing evil things there.

Whitney is an interesting character because the author uses him for foreshadowing.  He gives Rainsford two very important pieces of information.  He tells him that there is going to be a juxtaposition between hunter and hunted, and that something is very wrong on the island.  Sometimes a minor character like Whitney can be used for very important purposes.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial