PLN #3

     PLN#3     

           This past week I read “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell; this short story has changed my perspective on hunting. I used to believe that hunting was absolutely fine as long as it was done in moderation. Now I realize that it is wrong but it is necessary for human survival. Rainsford experiences the feeling of prey while running from the crazed General Zaroff. “The cat was coming again to play with the mouse.” In this story the tables turn and Rainsford gets a taste of his own medicine. Rainsford, being a famous hunter and not thinking anything of killing a living being either for sport or food has felt the terrifying feeling of prey. This story has given me the wonderful idea that you cannot truly live until you’ve lived both perspectives. This idea is played out tin this story by Rainsford: the hunter, becoming the prey. Also, The crazed character General Zaroff takes hunting as a game when in actuality it is a serious matter. “'I hunt more dangerous game.'...'Is there big game on this island?'” Hunting is a serious matter. Not only is it dangerous but is sad for the animals who are being killed. The fact that General Zarroff take it as a game is ridiculous. General Zaroff is so amused with his so called game that he needs a new, more dangerous hunt. Finally, the viciousness and violence of hunting appalls me. throughout the whole story is the tone intense and violent.

The tactics used are gruesome. For example, Rainsford “[dug] The pit grew bigger;... he climbed out and from some hard saplings cut stakes and sharpened them to a fine point. These stakes he planted at the bottom of the pit with the points sticking up.” This tactic of fighting back and hunting caused unnecessary death to the hounds. Hunting proves to be very dangerous and gruesome. Though this story may seem insignificant it can actually change someone’s perspective on hunting, or even life, like it has changed mine.