Prompt: What is the most significant character trait of Rainsford in “The Most Dangerous Game?” How does this character trait
help Rainsford to survive? Use one piece of evidence to support your claim.
First Period
In the “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, the character trait that most helps Rainsford to survive is his ability
to make quick decisions. When Rainsford falls off a yacht and swims to a near-by island, Rainsford has to fight for his life as the
owner of the island, General Zaroff, tries to hunt him like an animal. When General Zaroff gets close to catching Rainsford,
Rainsford’s “mind worked frantically. He thought of a native trick he had learned in Uganda” (20). General Zaroff and his servant,
Ivan, were chasing Rainsford through the jungle, and if Rainsford had not been able to quickly come up with a solution they would
have caught him. Rainsford ties a knife onto a branch, which is something he learned in past hunting experiences. Because he is able
to quickly recall the past he is able to save his life; if he had not been able to think on his feet he would already have died. Although
Rainsford was smart and resourceful, it was ultimately his ability to make quick decisions that kept him alive in the hunt.
Second Period
In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, the most important trait that helps Rainsford to survive is his
determination. When Rainsford falls off a yacht, he swims to an island where the owner, General Zaroff, is hunting humans and
Rainsford becomes Zaroff’s next prey. When the hunt begins, Rainsford continually repeats to himself, “I must keep my nerve. I must
keep my nerve” (17). Although Rainsford is terrified and fears that Zaroff will kill him, by repeating that phrase he tries to stay in
control, keeps fear at bay, and stays focused. By wanting to stay calm he shows a determination to survive, and without this
determination he may have given up his will to survive and lost his life as a result. Rainsford was skilled, knowledgeable, and
resourceful, but ultimately it was his determination that allowed him to use his other attributes and survive.
Sixth Period
In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, the most significant character trait that most helps Rainsford to survive
is his intelligence. When Rainsford falls off a yacht, he finds himself on a strange island where a man named General Zaroff hunts
humans, and Rainsford becomes his prey. Rainsford anticipates Zaroff’s attack and to protect himself “He thought of a native trick he
learned in Uganda” (20). The trick he learned was to tie a knife onto a branch which is triggered by footsteps. This trick ended up
killing Ivan, Zaroff’s servant, and therefore distracted Zaroff from finding Rainsford. Rainsford’s intelligence enabled him to think of
this trick quickly and implement it effectively to keep him alive. Although Rainsford was a skilled hunter, creative, and fearless,
ultimately it was his intelligence and knowledge that kept him safe and protected from Zaroff.
Seventh Period
In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, the most significant character trait that most helps Rainsford to survive
is his strategic mind. When Rainsford falls off a yacht, he swims to an island where a man named General Zaroff catches and hunts
humans, and Rainsford becomes his prey. When Zaroff begins tracking Rainsford, Rainsford builds a trap that will cause a dead tree
to hit Zaroff in the stomach: “ the dead tree, delicately adjusted to rest on the cut living one, crashed down and struck the general a
glancing blow on the shoulder” (19). When the tree hit Zaroff, it allowed Rainsford to escape from him. If Rainsford was not able to
strategize and plan the trap, Zaroff may have captured and killed him. Rainsford’s ability to think ahead and strategize allowed him
to anticipate Zaroff’s actions and defend himself. Although Rainsford is brave and has strong hunting skills, ultimately it was his
strategic mind that kept him alive.