Three Forms Of Conflict In The Most Dangerous Game, By Richard Connell

In the short story, “The Most Dangerous Game”, written by Richard Connell, all three forms of conflict appear. Man versus Man is shown as General Zaroff tries to defeat Rainsford during his game. The sea against Rainsford shows an example of Man versus Nature. The conflict of Man versus Himself becomes visible in the story as Rainsford is being hunted and starts to lose confidence in himself. All three conflicts appear in the narrative The Most Dangerous Game. One of the many conflicts of Man versus Man during this story is the general hunting Rainsford as if he is an animal. Rainsford already thinks that the General is insane for wanting to trap innocent people on an island and trying to kill them. Anyway the General manages to find a way to change Rainsfords mind. “‘Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine’” (10). Rainsford disagrees with the general's choice of wanting to hunt humans. The only way the General changes Rainsford’s mind is by letting him go if he wins. Rainsford desperately wants to leave the island and considering that Rainsford is an amazing hunter he decides to accept the generals challenge. The conflict of Man versus Man is used a lot throughout the short story. …show more content…
Rainsford comes upon many challenges as he is being hunted. The most common challenge Rainsford runs into is against himself. Rainsford finds himself struggling to get back on the yacht and finally is gives up. As the yacht drifts away, Rainsford is stuck in the middle of the ocean. “ He struggled up to the surface and tried to cry out, but the wash from the speeding yacht slapped him in the face and the salt water in his mouth made him gag and strangle” (2). Rainsford is trying to lift himself onto the yacht. The wash is splashing him in the face. Although Man versus Man might appear a lot, Man versus Man also comes into view during this