Mr. Denison’s 3rd Hour Class

The Most Dangerous Game: Analysis Keynote

Plot elements & Figurative LanguageLiterary elements help stories capture readers’ interest by providing key details. Key details can be something as simple as the use of figurative language. Figurative language shows how one idea is similar to another by comparison. Figurative language also allows us to see how characters feel by comparing real things with abstract notions. This is evident on page nine when it says “He lived a year in a minute.” This quote may seem simple; however, it shows the reader the depth of emotion that Rainsford felt, not knowing whether he would live or die. This is important because in such moments the most important things have a way of materializing. A plot is a sequence of events, the “why” things happen the way that they do. An example of personification “the wash from the speeding yacht slapped Rainsford in the face. This use of personification is important because it is the first conflict in the story and hints to the reader that more conflict is to come.

Conflict & indirect and direct characterization

If there were no conflict in “The Most Dangerous Game,” it would make the short story seem lifeless. However, Connell’s story is not in danger of being lifeless due to the great quantity of conflict it contains. Conflict is evident in the sentence “In his hand the man held a long-barreled revolver, and he was pointing it straight at Rainsford’s heart.” This conflict is important because it’s the first conflict Rainsford has had with another person in the story; it also foreshadows Rainsford’s lack of control concerning his life. Another example of conflict is “Precisely, said the General. That is why I use them. It gives me pleasure They can reason after a fashion. So they are dangerous.” This is when Rainsford realizes that general Zaroff hunts people. Rainsford, the protagonist, does not like this, which creates a major conflict in the story. Characterization can play a big part in this by showing how the characters cause conflict. It could also cause the readers to have strong feeling towards the characters. The author uses indirect characterization when the text quotes, “My hand was made for the trigger, my father said. He was a very rich man with a quarter of a million acres in the Crimea and he was an ardent sportsman.” This quote is showing that the General is cocky and a showoff.

Mood and Theme

“The Most Dangerous Game” is a story that has mood and theme. An example of theme in this story is “keep your friends close and enemy’s closer”. Another example, mood is whenever the main character Rainsford, met general Zaroff and shook hands. Example one talks about theme. Theme is what the author wants you to feel at the end of the story. Another mood is when general Zaroff asks Rainsford to play the game, when Zaroff says that it sounds like he has a burning desire to kill Rainsford even though he doesn’t know him.

Syntax and ToneSyntax and tone is often used in the story to create excitement in the reader. The author uses syntax and tone to make the story more in depth. By using tone, the author can show how the characters feel to connect with the reader. The author uses a matter-of-fact tone. An example of this tone would be “ a business like air animated him.” The author uses this tone so that the reader will feel the tension and potential danger of the situation among the characters. Syntax is the way authors choose to shape the story. In the story, the author uses long sentences to show detail as well as describe places in order to furnish the reader imagery and make the story’s meaning resonate with the reader. An example of syntax is, “There was a chance that his cries could be heard by someone aboard the yacht, but the chance was slender and grew more slender as the yacht raced on.” An example of a long syntax sentence would be, “ Ten minutes of determined effort brought another sound to his ears- - the most welcome he had ever heard- -the muttering and growling of the sea breaking on a rocky shore. He was almost on the rocks before he saw them; on a night less calm he would have shattered against them. With his remaining strength he dragged himself from the swirling waters.” This is evident on page two. Short sentences can explain little details. They explain little details that tell a lot of information. If the story does not include long or short sentences to explain detail, the reader would become bored. Short sentences are good to have in a story mainly because if you have only long sentences the story may become less interesting to the reader. It is used to create a punch and make a point.