Rainsford in "The Most Dangerous Game" is the generic protagonist in a commercial fiction story. Connell created a good versus evil story that is very intriguing for many reasons. One of the reasons that the story is intriguing is because of the way he treats the character of Rainsford. He makes Rainsford into a very convincing protagonist. There are several criteria that a character has to pass to be a convincing one, and Connell's protagonist, Rainsford, passes each and every one of them.
Rainsford never changes his behavior throughout the short story. His decisions all seemed to conform to the mold he sets for himself in the beginning of the story. Even when his actions seem rash, Rainsford appears to be perfectly justified in them. A prime example of this would be when he kills General Zaroff at the end of the story. Yes, it is a shocking event, yet it is completely justifiable if you examine the character of Rainsford. Rainsford is a renowned hunter, and he is hunted by Zaroff. At the end, Rainsford hunts Zaroff because he is not in danger after the three days he survived. Zaroff is just another easy prey. Even if one does not buy that, they can buy that Rainsford is so rattled and fearful that he has to kill Zaroff even though the game is already over. This quality of being consistent in behavior or justified in their actions is one criterion that makes Rainsford a convincing character.
Another criterion that Rainsford must pass is not an easy one. Rainsford's words and actions must spring from his motivations. The reader must also understand why his motivations are that way. Everything that Rainsford does and says seems to spring from a motivation that the reader can understand. The last criterion a character has to pass to be a convincing character is that he/she must not be too evil or too virtuous. Rainsford does not demonstrate either of these characteristics.
Sanger Rainsford: The Realist The most dangerous game began as a sport for one man. His name is Sanger Rainsford. In Richard Connell's story "The Most Dangerous Game," Sanger Rainsford, an avid hunter, is lost at sea, stranded on "Ship-Trap" Island-every sailor's worst nightmare. Rainsford g...
Rainsford's intelligence helped him through the game. ... Rainsford's face was "set and [he] forced the machinery of his mind to function," proving how determined Rainsford really was (52). ... Intelligence is one thing Rainsford has and uses well. ... Being resourceful lead Rainsford throughout the game. ... Being resourceful lead Rainsford throughout the game. ...
The main character, Sanler Rainsford, is in conflicts with nature, man, and himself. Rainsford's conflicts "are physical, mental, emotional, and moral". The first episode of conflict is Rainsford against nature. ... Rainsford leans over the boat to listen to a sound, when he drops his pipe. ... Rainsford is in the game, and he knows he must defeat Zaroff to survive. ...
The yacht that Rainsford was on was headed towards Rio de Janeiro before he fell off. ... The protagonist in this book is Rainsford. ... Rainsford's hunting skills prove to be a necessity on the island. ... Rainsford is competing against the General in order to stay alive. ... Rainsford thinks that this is completely unorthodox and does not agree with the general at all. ...
The yacht that Rainsford was on was headed towards Rio de Janeiro before he fell off. ... The protagonist in this book is Rainsford. ... Rainsford's hunting skills prove to be a necessity on the island. ... Rainsford is competing against the General in order to stay alive. ... Rainsford thinks that this is completely unorthodox and does not agree with the general at all. ...
It is the sea that first pursues Rainsford. ... This too, is beaten by Rainsford's persistence. ... This time, Rainsford is the hunter. ... Rainsford will have none of it, he wants to win outright. ... One can see that Rainsford sees things in a new light. ...
After Whitney goes to bed Rainsford decides to have a smoke. ... He invites Rainsford in for dinner. ... Zoroff invites Rainsford to join him in the hunt but Rainsford declines. ... As the days go by Rainsford struggles to survive and succeeds. ... Rainsford goes from being a hunter to being the hunted. ...
It also reflects on the main character of the story, Rainsford. ... It turns out that Zaroff begins to hunt for Rainsford, but Rainsford beats him at his own game. ... The tables turned on Rainsford, as he became the hunted. The quote also reflects on Rainsford's character. ... I do believe that Rainsford's character has changed after the conflict. ...
Rainsford, though, worried not one bit, just went up for another pipe on the deck. ... At this point I know he hunts people but Rainsford doesn't. ... Wow, the nerve of this guy, feeding Rainsford like he's a turkey getting ready for thanksgiving. ... Rainsford ends up outsmarting the general, who claims that no one can outsmart a man of his wits. ... Rainsford now sleeps in his bed, deciding he's never slept in one better. ...
