English > "The most Dangerous Game"

1. Discuss the meanings of the title.

The first sign of the story’s possible unfortunate ending is the mentioning of the Ship-Trap Island. Sailors have a bad feeling about it, because it caused so many ships to sink there. The fact that the characters are talking about hunting, might also cause a little suspicion in the reader. As Rainsford, the main character has the accident and gets to the island, and meets with the Cossack; we can soon understand the meaning of the title. I had the feeling from the beginning that this man hunt is unavoidable. Somehow this is what every single sign forecasted from the opening scene. Of course the game that the title refers to is the hunt, and it’s obviously a dangerous one. A man’s life is on the stake. I think every reader presume the story’s real ending. It just feels right. The smartest and cleverest one has to emerge as the winner from this game.

2. As you read the story, do you develop any expectations of how it might be resolved? Are these expectations met or overturned?

The truth is that I don’t like hunters. That’s why at the beginning of the story I don’t really sympathize with Rainsford. The way he talks does not give a good impression of him. Then when he falls into the water I feel a little fulfillment. Then from the scene he hears gun shots, I think I knew what was going to happen. I don’t know why, but I thought he deserves a sharp lesson. After all those things he said about the joy of hunting, he should know how those innocent animals feel when being chased by a gunman. Sure enough, he soon will be experiencing it on his own skin. I think the story was pretty predictable, I just wasn’t sure about the ending. One thing is certain, nobody could really wish for his death, so I think he had to win the game.