Sample Literary Analysis (Most Dangerous Game)

Suspense in "The Most Dangerous Game"

Many Authors use suspense to hook readers into their stories. Noted author Richard Connell is no exception. In his story “The Most Dangerous Game” Connell envelops readers in suspense and danger. Connell utilizes slow revelation of detail and mysterious foreshadowing of future dangers to emphasize suspense.

Connell creates suspense by using slow revelation of detail. Shortly after meeting General Zaroff, Rainsford repeatedly tries to get the general to tell him what game he hunts. Zaroff, avoiding a direct answer, hints at possibilities telling Rainsford, “ ‘I’ll tell you,. . . you will be amused I’m sure’ ”. Later in the conversation, Zaroff tells him, “ ‘I had to invent a new animal to hunt’ “. By withholding the answer, Connell leaves us on the edge of our seats wondering, along with Rainsford, what Zaroff is getting at. Readers may guess, but several pages must be read to get the answer. This causes a heightened sense of stress and tension. During the hunt, Rainsford finds himself in a tree with the general meticulously stalking him. As Rainsford hides he becomes aware of “something . . . coming. . . slowly,. . . carefully. . .by the same way. . . [he] had. . . “. Rainsford knows that, “Nothing escaped those searching black eyes . . . “. As Rainsford hides, the reader feels a dread that Zaroff will find him. Connell drags out the details of the hunt, causing the reader to feel more and more hopeless as each one is unveiled. The suspense is almost unbearable. Connell’s slow revelation of detail causes stress and suspense in his story.

Another suspense trigger which the author employs is foreshadowing. At the opening of the story, Connell brings this literary device into Rainsford and Whitney’s hunting discussion. Rainsford, innocent of what is to come, says, “ ‘The world is made up of two classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily you and I are the hunters’ ”. This comment makes readers suspect that the way things are is about to be flipped on Rainsford. Because they don’t know how this will happen, readers feel stress and tension. Later in the story, Rainsford is in the general’s home and admiring his hunting trophies. Unknowingly, Rainsford comments to the general, “ ‘You have wonderful heads here’ ” . After dinner the general casually invites Rainsford, “ ‘. . .to show [him a] new collection of heads. . . in the library’ “. This shady comment makes the reader wonder if the other heads were actually human heads. That question is left unanswered and readers are left in suspicion. Suspenseful details are found because of foreshadowing.

Often readers realize Rainsford is in danger even before the character himself does. They pick up on the foreshadowing and are left to anxiously await danger’s next strike. Readers are helpless in Rainsford’s situation and frustrated that he gets himself into such predicaments. Since Connell is a master at including elements that cause suspense, his readers are always left wanting more.