4th Hour Analysis of "The Most Dangerous Game".

Analysis of The Literary Elements in

“The Most Dangerous Game’’

By: Richard ConnellMr. Denison’s 4th Hour

Pre-AP Language Arts Class

Tone & Syntax

Why would an author use syntax and tone? Richard Connell inserts syntax and tone into the story in order to make sense of “The Most Dangerous Game”. Syntax is the method authors use to form ideas and words that flow together. One can find syntax throughout “The Most Dangerous Game”. “… have I not told you I always mean what I say about hunting?”, (Connell 7). The way the author describes Rainsford in the story makes the tone easily recognizable. A determined tone is evident when the author says, “I will not lose my nerve. I will not.” (Connell 9). Tone and syntax are very similar and different at the same time. Richard Connell intricately weaves syntax and tone into “The Most Dangerous Game”, thereby producing a thrilling story.

Conflict & Indirect Characterization

Richard Connell adds conflict and Indirect characterization to show detail in “The Most Dangerous Game”. The conflict starts when Rainsford falls off the boat as evidenced by, ”He struggled to the surface and tried to cry out,” (Connell 2). The conflict concludes when Rainsford defeats the general at his own game as shown when stated, “The general sucked in his breath and smiled. “I congratulate you,” he said. “You have won the game,” (Connell 10). Richard Connell adds conflict to the story because without conflict, the story would be unimaginative. He uses indirect characterization to give detail and life to his characters. Indirect characterization hints details to the reader, by inferring facts about the character(s). This is evident when General Zaroff said “… I had no wish to go to pieces, he said. I must do something. Now, mine is an analytical mind, Mr. Rainsford. Doubtless that is why I enjoy the problems of the chase” (Connell 7). Another use of indirect characterization that describes Rainsford is “ Some wounded thing-by the evidence, a large animal-had thrashed about in the underbrush; the jungle weeds were crushed down and the moss were lacerated; one patch of weeds was stained crimson. A small, glittering object not far away caught Rainsford’s eye and he picked it up. It was an empty cartridge” (Connell 3). This use of indirect characterization is important because it shows how observant Rainsford is, which foreshadows the general’s defeat.

Mood & Theme

The author of “The Most Dangerous Game” applies mood and theme in various ways. The mood is how the reader reacts to the story and its characters. Intensity, suspense, and mystery are ways the author makes the mood more evident in the story, “Rainsford knew he could do one of two things. He could stay where he was and wait. That was suicide. He could flee. That was postponing the inevitable. For a moment he stood there, thinking. An idea that held a wild chance came to him, and, tightening his belt, he headed away from the swamp,”(Connell 9). Next to mood, theme is another element that Connell uses throughout the story. A person may be the best where they came from, but in someone else’s domain their victory isn't ensured, is a suitable theme for “The Most Dangerous Game”. All these elements culminate to form a suspenseful story.

Point of View&

Diction (Word Choice)

Richard Connell wisely chose third person as the point of view for “The Most Dangerous Game”. If by chance the point of view were to be different, the emotion would vary. If “The Most Dangerous Game” were to be written in first person from Rainsford’s view, the story could possibly become distorted. The story may be debatably mild, but for the majority, it is action packed and filled with excitement. Diction is important because it could change the whole meaning of the story. Dramatically modifying specific words in the story could add or take away certain emotions the author wants the reader to feel in a matter of a few words, as shown in, “I wanted the ideal animal to hunt,” explained the general, “So I said ‘What are the attributes of an ideal quarry?’ And the answer was, of course, ‘It must have courage, cunning, and all above, it must be able to reason’”(Connell 5). Both of these elements are essential in writing a good story; just a few simple words can transform something completely that alters a meaning, or changes the feeling of some stories. This is why word choice and point of view are a necessity in the story.

Plot Elements & Figurative Language

Plot elements and figurative language help “The Most Dangerous Game” draw a clear picture in the reader’s mind. The plot diagram helps to guide the story as well as assists in breaking down and organizing Richard Connell’s short story. As well as the plot diagram, figurative language, such as similes and personification, are produced quite frequently throughout “The Most Dangerous Game”. An example of a simile would be, “The sea was as flat as a plate-glass window” (Connell 2). This simile was saying that the ocean was flat and smooth; furthermore, this hints that the rest of Rainsford’s journey will be anything but calm. Without this detailed comparison, the story wouldn’t be as thrilling. Along the lines of similes, personification is the act in which an author gives a non-living entity a human like trait. In “The Most Dangerous Game” an example of personification is, “…that I could sleep without closing my eyes; the night would be my eyelids” (Connell 2). This specific quote shows the night will control his eyes not Rainsford himself. The plot elements and figurative language bring a slight twist to the story, and, as stated previously, creates a clearer picture in the reader’s mind.