Eyes
1A)
At the beginning of “The Most Dangerous Game,” Rainsford clearly outlines his limited
classification system for the world. When discussing the matter with Whitney, Rainsford clearly
states “the world is made up of two classes – the hunters and the huntees” (62). Oblivious to the
position of the creatures on the other side of this dividing line, Rainsford callously concludes the
matter, “Who cares how a jaguar feels?...Luckily, you and I are hunters” (60 – 62). These
comments clearly demonstrate the protagonist’s schema for viewing the natural world and
communicate his uncaring attitude regarding the innocent creatures he pursues for sport.
1B)
During the course of “The Most Dangerous Game,” General Zaroff utters sentiments directly
echoing Rainsford’s manner of dividing the world between the hunter and the hunted. “Life is
for the strong, to be lived by the strong,” the General instructs Rainsford, “and, if needs be, taken
by the strong” (70). Like Rainsford, Zaroff sees no need to shelter the weaker party, “The weak
of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong” (70). Parallel to the
protagonist’s beginning sense of the world, Zaroff directly reflects this division between the able
and unable, likewise refusing to extend empathy to those who fall underneath the spell of his
strength.
Spine
2A)
In “The Most Dangerous Game,” Rainsford continually exhibits his courage. In numerous
circumstances where many average men would crumble, he manages to retain his collected calm,
“Desperately he struck out with strong strokes after the receding lights of the yacht, but he
stopped before he had swum fifty feet. A certain cool-headedness had come to him; it was not
the first time he had been in a tight place” (63). Just as he was able to reign in his personal terror
in order to survive when he plunges accidentally into the ocean, Rainsford exudes a similar level
of placidity when facing the prospect of being hunted to the death, “Not he had got a grip on
himself, had stopped, and was taking stock of himself and the situation” (75). Despite
overwhelming challenges and frightening situations, the protagonist of this tale manages time
and again to face danger with a calm demeanor.
2B)
General Zaroff, from “The Most Dangerous Game,” is truly an inward coward. Despite his
boasts of strength and hunting prowess, Zaroff frequently bends the rules of the game to stack
the odds in his own favor. Unable to face the full darkness, Zaroff bears a mechanical light to
guide and guard him, “Three feet from the pit a man was standing, with an electric torch in his
hand;” Rainsford roams the pitch-black jungle of night unaided (78). When the General
discovers how truly talented Rainsford is within their deadly game, he quickly manipulates the
situation in an effort to ensure his own dominance, “Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of
my best dogs…I think, Mr. Rainsford, I’ll see what you can do against my whole pack” (78).
Unwilling to face the challenge of hunting Rainsford directly, the general demonstrates his
hidden cowardice by employing the advantages at his disposal as master of this most dangerous
game.
Feet
3A)
Within “The Most Dangerous Game,” the protagonist is eventually and irreversibly destroyed by
his own actions. Though Rainsford functions at the beginning of the story as an uncorrupted
hero, this facet of his character is quickly tainted by his growing connection to his psychological
Shadow. When he meets Zaroff and discovers the reality concerning his “ideal animal”
Rainsford is appalled, “I’m a hunter, not a murderer” (70). But by the end of the story, this sense
of moral outrage has disperses like phantom fog, “I am still a beast of bay…Get ready, General
Zaroff” (80). Despite his earlier compunctions, now Rainsford is unwilling or unable to restrain
himself. After committing murder, Rainsford is able to fall into an untroubled sleep, “He had
never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided”- dreaming in the very bed to which he has been
drawn all along, like metal to a magnet, throughout the short story (80).
3B)
In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game,” Zaroff’s eventual destination of death and
darkness is foreshadowed at several points within the text. “But perhaps the general was a
devil,” Rainsford exclaims during their deadly hunt (76). Though it is easy to dismiss this
statement on a literal level, seen through the archetypal layering within the story this statement’s
significance is paramount. General Zaroff is destined to become a true devil when freed from his
earthly body. “One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds,” Zaroff states simply to Rainsford
as they prepare for their final struggle (80). And it is Zaroff, who continually fed his excitement
through the suffering and death of others, who now becomes a meal for his own vicious hounds.
But you can never truly destroy a psychological Shadow and Zaroff lives on – shrouded in
Rainsford’s increasingly evil heart, the devil inside this former protagonist.
Inner – Eye: Evidence of a character’s ability or inability to perceive deep metaphysical
truths.
4A)
Within “The Most Dangerous Game,” the protagonist Rainsford begins his journey blinded to the
deeper metaphysical truths. But as the game progresses, Rainsford quickly begins to see beyond
the literal to the deeper currents of life. “Pure imagination…One superstitious sailor can taint the
whole ship’s company with his fear,” Rainsford rebuffs Whitney’s claims in the opening page of
the story concerning the nearby island’s vibrations of evil (62). Unaware of the extreme evil in
his near vicinity, Rainsford early demonstrates his ignorance of deeper, metaphysical
happenings. But after surviving his hunt with General Zaroff, Rainsford exhibits a keen insight
into the inner-workings of life. As he refutes the general’s claim of the game’s end, Rainsford
demonstrates a deep knowledge of exactly what he has now become, “I am still a beast at bay”
(80). Though he begins his journey in a state of blissful ignorance, as he is consumed by his
psychological Shadow Rainsford begins to see beyond the surface of literal life down into the
deeper depths of existence.
4B)
In “The Most Dangerous Game,” the antagonist General Zaroff exhibits a keen insight into the
inner workings of life throughout the short story. Upon meeting Rainsford, the general seems
wholly prepared for his arrival. In addition to knowing Rainsford’s name and life history, Zaroff
is deeply aware of the connection between, “You’ll find that my clothes fit you, I think” (66).
On a literal level, this statement is devoid of deep implications. But considered in light of the
Shadow archetype, it becomes heavy with possible meaning – demonstrating Zaroff’s awareness
of the close alignment of Self and Shadow. Though Zaroff is pleasantly surprised by Rainsford’s
sudden revival from apparent death, he is not puzzled by Rainsford’s refusal of a peaceful end to
their game. After Rainsford exclaims he is still an animal in danger, Zaroff simply replies, “I
see…Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very
excellent bed” (80). Aware of the archetypal implications of their struggle, Zaroff already
understands without the need for explanation that only true cessation of their battle has to
culminate in a dominance of one party over the other.
Character Deaths
5A)
Though Rainsford literally survived his ghastly experiences on Ship Trap Island, in “The Most
Dangerous Game” the protagonist does suffer an archetypal death of the Self. During his hunt
with General Zaroff, Rainsford resorts to increasingly brutal methods of retaliation and begins to
sincerely hope for the gruesome death of his adversary, “He shinned excitedly up a tree and
looked back…But the hope that was in Rainsford’s brain when he climbed dead, for he saw in
the shallow valley that General Zaroff was still on his feet” (79). After savagely murdering the
general the protagonist sleeps soundly, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided”
(80). But as he slumbers, an important piece of his psyche falls away into nothingness and he
will awaken to discover he has transformed into a being fully consumed by his Shadow.
5B)
In “The Most Dangerous Game,” the antagonist is ruthlessly murdered in a resolution of
retribution. Zaroff’s own words prove to be oracular, outlining his pending fate, “One of us is to
furnish a repast for the hounds” (80). But in a non-literal sense, the presence of Zaroff lives on
within the figure of the now-corrupted Rainsford as the Shadow archetype devours the Self.
Rainsford directly connects himself at the end of the short story with elements of the Shadow
archetype, “I am still a beast at bay” (80). This once upstanding gentleman has fallen to the level
of the unconscious beast – through him the Shadow lives on, given full sway over the
protagonist’s frame.