Written by Richard Connell
Presentation by Mary Margaret
Richard Connell
• Born in 1893 in Poughkeepsie, New
York
• Enlisted in the army for World War 1
and stationed in France
• Wife was Louise Fox
• 1922--Connell’s released first book
collection of short stories
• 1923--“A Friend of Napoleon”
• 1924--“The Most Dangerous Game”
• Both won O’ Henry Memorial Prizes.
Last, First M. Photograph Title. Year Created.
Photograph. Museum/Institution, Location.
Literary Influences
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Father was the editor of a small town
newspaper
Connell had his first job, at the age of 10,
as city editor for his father
Attended Georgetown University and
worked for his father, who had been
elected to Congress
After his father died, he attended Harvard
University
Editor of The Daily Crimson
Editor of the Harvard Lampoon magazine
Reporter for The New York American
Regularly contributed to The Saturday
Evening Post and Collier's Weekly
Last, First M. Photograph Title. Year Created.
Photograph. Museum/Institution, Location.
Other Works
• “The Mad Lover”
• “Murder at Sea”
• “Playboy”
• “The Most Dangerous Game” was also adapted into a
movie
• Became a screen writer
• Academy Awards nomination in 1942 for best original
story in Meet John Doe.
Work Themes
• Focused on the darker side of man
• Internal conflict, as well as external
Summary:
Sanger Rainsford is a celebrated hunter on a cruise to hunt
jaguars in the Amazon. While on his way, he falls off a boat
and lands on the infamous Ship-Trap Island, where even the
sailors are afraid to venture. After barley surviving the
elements, he finds the chateau of General Zaroff, a unique and
strange man.
Through conversation, Rainsford finds that Zaroff is also a
great hunter and that he has found the best “game” to hunt—
man. Rainsford refuses to hunt with Zaroff, so he becomes the
next prey.
Rainsford barely escapes death and decides to turn the table
on the hunter. Rainsford begins to hunt Zaroff and to knock off
the hunting party one at a time. Ultimately, there is a show
down between both characters. You will need to read the story
to find out how it ends.
Setting:
The story is set in the foggy and black, Caribbean Sea on a
boat. The boat travels near Ship-Trap Island, an island with
an evil reputation. The main part of the story takes place on
the island in the jungle and in Zaroff’s eerie house. The
setting is integral to the story because the author uses the
description to build suspense and to foreshadow what is to
come. It also helps to develop the creepy mood.
Characters:
Protagonist—Sanger
Rainsford
• Arrogant/prideful
• Intelligent
• Great marksman/hunter
• Has morals/character
• Logical/analytical
• Dynamic character
• Direct/Indirect
characterization
Antagonist—General Zaroff
• Arrogant/prideful
• Devious
• Cultured/Manners
• Rich
• Great marksman/hunter
• No morals
• Static character
• Indirect characterization
Point of View
Third-Person limited Point of view
Plot Structure:
Narrative
Theme:
• Do not underestimate someone you think you are better
than.
• Civilized people will turn uncivilized if life depends on it.
• Power and money can change people and create
corruption in society.
Significant Quotations:
"Richard Connell - Biography."Richardconnelthemostdangerousgame. WordPress, 3
Mar. 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.
"Richard Connell." Home Page. American Literature. Web. 23 Sept. 2015.