Author Richard Connell

BY ALEX TERRIZA
Imagine a television series that combines the tension of survival with the thrill of the chase, set
in a remote and strange island. “ The Most Dangerous Game ” is a story that has captivated
people for decades, and now we're suitable to bring it to life on screen. This series will keep
watchers on the edge of their seats as they take after the dynamic cat- and- mouse game
between the clever huntsman and the resourceful prey.
 PLOT DIAGRAM
Exposition: The narrative opens with a smart hunter called Rainsford and his companion. Whitney heading to South
America on a hunting expedition. They talk about Ship-Trap Island, which has a reputation for being hazardous
because of the strong currents that surround it.

Conflict: The main conflict arises when Rainsford falls off the yacht and swims to Ship-Trap Island. He finds General
Zaroff's chateau, and he seems to be a refined and kind host. But Rainsford quickly learns that Zaroff is a crazy hunter
who has become tired with killing animals and is now hunting people for fun.

Climax: The climax occurs when Zaroff gives Rainsford an ultimatum - either participate in his twisted game of being
hunted or be handed over to Ivan, Zaroff’s brutish servant. After Rainsford decides to play the game, he embarks on an
exciting game of cat and mouse through the jungle to outsmart Zaroff.

Resolution: By laying traps and utilizing his cunning and survival abilities, Rainsford outsmarts Zaroff in the
resolution. In the end, Rainsford turns the tables on Zaroff by approaching him in his bedroom. As the narrative ends,
Rainsford declares his win against Zaroff, suggesting that he is now the hunter.
 POINT OF VIEW

In “ The Most Dangerous Game, ” the story is told in the first person by Sanger Rainsford.
This narrative choice allows readers to witness the events from Rainsford’s perspective,
creating a sense of immediacy and closeness with the character. By chronicling the story in
first person, the author heightens the suspension and pressure in the narrative as
compendiums are directly immersed in Rainsford’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences
throughout his harrowing ordeal on Ship- Trap Island.
Rainsford: Rainsford is portrayed as a skilled and experienced hunter
who finds himself in a life-or-death situation when he becomes the
prey of General Zaroff. Throughout the story, Rainsford must rely on
his wit, resourcefulness, and hunting abilities to outsmart Zaroff and
survive the deadly game.
General Zaroff: General Zaroff is the main antagonist in the story, a
sophisticated and cunning hunter who has grown bored with hunting
animals and now sees humans as the ultimate prey. “Life is for the
strong, to be lived by the strong, and if needs be taken by the strong.”
Zaroff’s twisted sense of morality and his belief in his superiority over
others drive him to orchestrate deadly hunting expeditions on his
secluded island.
Ivan: Ivan is General Zaroff’s loyal but silent henchman who assists
him in his sinister pursuits. Despite his lack of dialogue, Ivan is
depicted as a menacing and formidable presence, adding to the
atmosphere of fear and danger surrounding Zaroff’s domain.
Eve: Eve is a significant character who joins forces with Rainsford to
escape General Zaroff’s deadly game. As a fellow survivor on the
island, Eve contributes to the tension and suspense of the narrative as
she collaborates with Rainsford to outmanoeuvre their ruthless
adversary.
 THE SETTING AND MOOD

In “The Most Dangerous Game,” the setting plays a crucial role in creating a tense and ominous mood throughout the
story. The isolated and foreboding Ship-Trap Island, where the main events take place, contributes significantly to the
atmosphere of fear and danger. The author, Richard Connell, describes the island as having “jagged crags” and “savage
cliffs,” emphasizing its inhospitable and threatening nature. This setting isolates the characters, Rainsford and Zaroff,
intensifying the sense of hunting and pursuit, adds to the suspenseful mood that permeates the story. One example of how
the setting creates this mood is when Rainsford peril as they navigate through the dense jungle terrain. The eerie silence of
the island, broken only by the sounds of first arrives on Ship-Trap Island. Connell writes, “The lights of the chateau were
out now, and it was dark and silent; but there was a fragment of sallow moon, and by its wan light he could see…”. This
description of darkness and silence enhances the feeling of isolation and impending danger that Rainsford experiences as
he realizes he is being hunted. Overall, the menacing setting of Ship-Trap Island sets the stage for a thrilling and
suspenseful narrative in “The Most Dangerous Game.”
“ The Most Dangerous Game ” by Richard Connell explores the theme of the connection between animals
and humans through its depiction of mortal beings as hunters and hunted. The story’s promoter, Rainsford, is
a masterful huntsman who becomes the prey of General Zaroff, a rich man who has grown fed up with
traditional hunting and seeks a more challenging target. Through this dynamic, the story suggests that humans
aren't unnaturally different from animals and can be reduced to their utmost introductory instincts when
placed in certain situations.
Finally, “ The Most Dangerous Game ” touches on the impact of war. Both Zaroff and Rainsford are vets of
war, having fought in World War I. The story suggests that their experiences in war have desensitized them to
violence and death, making it easier for them to engage in dangerous pursuits like hunting. At the same time,
the story suggests that war can also have positive effects, similar as tutoring precious survival skills that help
Rainsford endure his ordeal on the island.
“The Most Dangerous Game,” a short story by Richard Connell, published in 1924, remains
relevant to contemporary audiences due to its exploration of themes such as the nature of
civilization versus savagery, the hunter becoming the hunted, and the moral implications of
hunting for sport. These are themes that relate to contemporary worldviews about human rights,
animal rights and ethics in hunting, as well as diverse views on civilization. The narrative’s
suspenseful power and psychological depth also give a timeless examination into survival
instincts vis-à-vis savage or empathetic tendencies of humans. In a time when reality TV shows
and video games sometimes seem indistinct from real violence, this short story encourages
readers to take a look at themselves and at the dark side of human nature. It asks us where we
cannot be civilized in our personal lives or as a society since when do we draw the line between
being civilized and being barbaric?
The Most Dangerous Game is a promise for a thrilling series. The mix of a hunt, action,
and moral question will please the public. No doubt, great characters, climaxes, and
wonderful visuals will make this TV series a must-see. That is why, in my opinion, from a
screenwriter’s point of view, The Most Dangerous Game crosses all the points to become a
blockbuster series. For this reason, I would honestly suggest turning it into a series because
it can draw many devoted fanbase.
• THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME--RICHARD CONNELL (1893-1949). CLASSIC SHORT
STORIES. (N.D.). HTTPS://WWW.CLASSICSHORTS.COM/STORIES/DANGER.HTML