In 300 words or less, explore how the external events of the plot of “The Most Dangerous Game” affect an internal change within Sanger Rainsford. “The Most Dangerous Game” is a thrilling short story written by Richard Connell. It follows the protagonist, Sanger Rainsford, a skilled hunter who finds himself stranded on a mysterious island after falling off his yacht. As the plot unfolds, Rainsford faces a series of external events that ultimately lead to a significant internal change within him. Initially, Rainsford is portrayed as a confident and arrogant hunter who believes that animals have no feelings or rights. However, his perspective begins to shift when he becomes the hunted instead of the hunter. General Zaroff, the antagonist of the story, challenges Rainsford to a deadly game of hunting humans. This external event forces Rainsford to confront his own beliefs and question the morality of hunting. As Rainsford tries to survive the game, he experiences fear, desperation, and a newfound empathy for the animals he used to hunt. He realizes the terror and helplessness they must feel when being pursued. This internal change is evident when Rainsford exclaims, “Who cares how a jaguar feels?” earlier in the story, but later admits, “I am still a beast at bay.” This shift in perspective demonstrates Rainsford’s growing understanding and empathy towards the hunted. Furthermore, Rainsford’s encounter with Zaroff challenges his notions of honor and survival. Throughout the story, Rainsford is faced with difficult choices that test his moral compass. He must decide whether to kill Zaroff or be killed himself. This internal struggle forces Rainsford to question his own values and confront the darkness within him. In the end, Rainsford manages to outwit Zaroff and survive the game. However, he is forever changed by the external events he experienced on the island. He no longer sees hunting as a mere sport but as a cruel and unjust act. This internal transformation is a direct result of the external events that shaped Rainsford’s journey.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
In Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game, the external events of the plot lead to a profound internal transformation within Sanger Rainsford. At the beginning of the story, Rainsford is a confident and detached hunter who dismisses the idea that animals experience fear or pain. His statement, “Who cares how a jaguar feels?” reflects his lack of empathy and emotional distance from his prey.
However, Rainsford’s perspective shifts dramatically when he becomes the target of General Zaroff’s twisted game, in which humans are hunted for sport. This reversal from hunter to hunted forces Rainsford to experience the fear and vulnerability he had previously denied in animals. As he fights to survive, he undergoes both physical and psychological trials that challenge his beliefs and values. The desperation and terror he feels awaken a sense of empathy and self-awareness that had been absent in his earlier views.
Rainsford’s internal change becomes evident when he describes himself as a “beast at bay,” acknowledging his own primal fear and instinct for survival. This moment marks a turning point where he begins to understand the true horror of being hunted. The experience strips away his previous arrogance and leads him to reflect on the morality of hunting for sport.
Additionally, the conflict with Zaroff forces Rainsford to confront his own capacity for violence. In the end, he chooses to kill Zaroff, a decision that ensures his survival but also signifies a deeper change. He is no longer the same man who fell off the yacht. The trauma and moral challenges he faced on the island have altered his worldview.
Ultimately, the external events of the story—being hunted, surviving the jungle, and facing Zaroff—serve as catalysts for Rainsford’s internal transformation from a detached hunter to a man who understands the true cost of life and death.
