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Fear And Exhilaration In The Most Dangerous Game By Richard Connell

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Have you ever been to a haunted house or rollercoaster? The two places bring such different feelings; fear and exhilaration. Stories are the same. Authors use contrasting settings to affect our feelings and plot. In Richard Connell’s short story “The Most Dangerous Game”, he plays with setting, making it critical to multiple aspects of the entire story. Initially, setting establishes mood. Using setting, Connell portrays mysteriousness. When the ship nears the uncanny island, Whitney fearfully tells Rainsford about what Captain Nielsen had said to him. The captain had told Whitney how formidable and mystifying Ship- Trap Island was known to be. “This place has an evil name among seafaring men” said the captain. Most places were inhabited, but the island seemed to be completely isolated. Even the sea felt preternatural, just like his subconscious mind. The mood was also extremely suspenseful. Rainsford’s life was already in peril in the jungle, but then the dogs came, making the mood even more exciting and vivid. “The baying of the hounds grew nearer, then still nearer, nearer, nearer.” (pg. 15) This showed how unpredictable and uncontrolled the wilderness was, with …show more content…

For instance, setting is an important factor to the rising action. This is demonstrated on pg. 15, when Rainsford is trying to run away from the crazy, murderous general and his relentless dogs. “Ever nearer drew the hounds, and Rainsford forced himself on toward that gap,” states pg. 15. It is his last chance at escaping, and it feels like he is going up a mountain emotionally. Setting is also needed for the climax to arrive. Rainsford reaches the shore of the sea, and is met with two choices. “He hesitated. He heard the hounds. Then he leapt far out into the sea…” (pg. 15) Using the terror of life or death, the author makes this section the tensest part of the story. Ultimately, Rainsford makes the life-changing decision and chooses the

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