Fogl I
A.J. Fogl
AP English Literature and Composition
Period 4
October 2, 2009
The Characterization of Rainsford
Have you ever read a story with supernatural characters? Consider Spiderman or
Superman: they can perform activities far beyond normal human capabilities. Characters
such as those are also embodiments of ultimate good; whereas, the antagonists, Venom
and Lex Luther, are ultimate evils. While supernatural characters may be entertaining,
they are difficult for the reader to connect with. Readers want to establish a relationship
with the characters in a story. Therefore, it is important in fiction for characters to be
convincing. In other words, it is important for the characters to seem lifelike and have
humanistic traits. In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game,” Rainsford is well
established and can be classified as a convincing character.
Foremost, in order to have a convincing character, the character must meet three
key requirements. Number one, the character must have consistent behavior throughout
the story, unless there is an acceptable reason for a change in behavior. Second, the
character’s dialogue and actions must be prompted by sufficient evidence for
understanding. In other words, the character’s behavior must be understandable and
acceptable to the reader. Lastly, the character must be lifelike or plausible. The character
must have the allusion of being a real person, in short. The above elements combined
create a character that readers can easily connect and identify with.
In “The Most Dangerous Game,” Rainsford’s behavior is consistent with his
character until there is a dramatic change in the story. In the beginning of the story,
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Rainsford’s conversation with Whitney reveals that they are both experienced big-game
hunters (Connell 68). Thereafter, Rainsford’s actions play into his persona. After
Whitney goes to sleep, Rainsford is able to identify the sound of gunshots on a far off
island (Connell 69). Only an experienced gunman would be able to make out the sound
of gunshots at such a long distance. After Rainsford’s lengthy swim to “Ship-Trap
Island,” he finds evidence of a wounded animal on the island, and he is able to identify
which type of gun shot the animal (Connell 70). Such a discovery furthers the reader’s
knowledge of Rainsford’s skills and abilities as a hunter. Finally, Rainsford reaches a
large fortress-like structure on the island where he meets a man named General Zaroff
(Connell 72). Once Zaroff and Rainsford get acquainted, they begin to talk about their
hunting experiences and which game is Zaroff’s favorite prey (Connell 73-77). The
detailed hunting conversation and equal understanding from Zaroff and Rainsford fit into
Rainsford’s hunter personality. Up to this point in the story, Rainsford’s actions parallel
his character perfectly until there is a significant plot shift. When Rainsford refuses to
hunt humans with Zaroff, due to moral conflicts, Zaroff agrees to hunt Rainsford.
Therefore, Rainsford goes from being a skilled hunter to being a hunter’s prey.
With the sudden change in plot, so is there a change in Rainsford’s behavior.
Rainsford leaves Zaroff’s home after being forced into the general’s brutal game.
Immediately, Rainsford starts to lose his nerve and become anxious (Connell 80).
Rainsford acts so capricious because he knows he is in great danger, much like an animal
does while it is being hunted. Rainsford continues through the forest, fashioning traps
along the way as a defensive maneuver (Connell 82-84). Seeing as Rainsford is now
Zaroff’s prey, he must act defensively instead of following his usual offensive hunter
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instincts. Toward the end of Zaroff’s hunt, Rainsford is deathly afraid of noises and
movements in the forest for fear of attack. One such point in the story is when Rainsford
heard the baying of Zaroff’s hounds and “Rainsford’s heart stopped” (Connell 84). All of
Rainsford characteristics now are geared towards, panic, fear, and self-preservation,
whereas, earlier in the story, before the change, Rainsford was confident, authoritative,
and aggressive. This sudden change in Rainsford’s behavior was warranted due to his
hasty role reversal. Therefore, Rainsford fits the first criteria for a convincing character
due to his consistent behavior in the story until there is an acceptable reason for change.
Rainsford’s activities throughout “The Most Dangerous Game,” are believable
and connect to his personality. Rainsford’s major activities come while he is in the forest
being hunted by Zaroff. Up until this point in the story, Rainsford has not done much
more than swim to shore and converse with General Zaroff. While in the woods,
Rainsford sets a multitude of traps and uses his instincts as a hunter against the general.
Rainsford sets a series of three traps: a Malay man-catcher, a Burmese tiger pit, and the
knife propelled by a sapling (Connell 82-84). Each of the traps above seem complex and
almost impossible to create out of the blue, but for Rainsford, they are second nature.
Rainsford has spent his whole life traveling the globe and compiling facts on the world’s
best hunting traps and techniques in his book. Therefore, it is not a stretch to say that
such trap-crafting would come easily to Rainsford. Furthermore, Rainsford experiences a
great deal of stress while in the jungle. He has to think quickly and be able to figure out
what to do or he will lose his life. Aside from the traps, Rainsford also uses his hunter
intellect to mislead Zaroff. At one point in the story, Rainsford creates a false path for
Zaroff to follow to lure him into the Malay man-catcher (Connell 82). Rainsford is able
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to execute his plan flawlessly and successfully lures Zaroff into the man-catcher. Being
an experienced hunter, Rainsford is familiar with false paths left by animals, and knows
how to use them to his advantage. Rainsford’s actions and behavior are believable,
because he relies mostly on natural instinct and his knowledge as a hunter, which is
established early in the story. With believable actions and behavior, the second criteria is
met.
Rainsford is a lifelike character because of his moral values and accurate
emotions. In the beginning of the story, Rainsford talks with Whitney about the morality
of killing animals. When Whitney points out that jaguars do not like to be hunted,
Rainsford responds with, “Who cares how a jaguar feels?” (Connell 68). Seeing as
Rainsford’s hobby/career is to hunt animals, it is not advantageous of him to believe that
the animals have feelings. Such desensitization is also common in today’s military.
Soldiers cannot think of their enemies as people, but only as targets, or emotions would
get in the way of their duty. Although Rainsford seems somewhat heartless when he
speaks with Whitney, he does redeem himself by standing against General Zaroff. When
the General asks Rainsford to hunt humans with him, Rainsford replies, “Thank you, I’m
a hunter, not a murderer” (Connell 76). Rainsford’s denial of Zaroff’s proposal shows
that he does have a problem with killing other human beings much like the majority of
the population in the world today. Finally, Rainsford shows his humanity again when he
leaves Zaroff’s palace and trudges into the jungle. Rainsford repeats to himself over and
over the phrase, “I must keep my nerve. I must keep my nerve” (Connell 80). In an
attempt to calm himself, Rainsford shows his more vulnerable side. With the new
addition of panic to Rainsford’s character, he takes shape and becomes a realistic
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character. Rainsford’s morals and sense of fear project a lifelike image onto the character
and complete his third criteria.
From the beginning to the end of “The Most Dangerous Game,” Rainsford is a
convincing character. All of Rainsford’s actions and beliefs coincide with his hunterbased personality. Furthermore, the fear and anxiety Rainsford experiences give his
character a third dimension and bring out his lifelike features. In the end of the short
story, Rainsford wins the game by killing General Zaroff (Connell 85). Although
Rainsford believes it is wrong to kill other humans, the power of revenge overcomes him.
Revenge is an emotion almost all readers can identify with, and through which can
connect with Rainsford’s condition. Further emotional connections help to make
Rainsford more believable. Rainsford is consistent in his plausible behavior and is
lifelike, as well, making him a convincing character.