In “The Most Dangerous Game,” Richard Connell creates suspense by leaving room for you to wonder what will happen next and what all his foreshadowing meant. It was his way of letting you find out what the most dangerous game was rather then telling you directly. Throughout the story, you become aware of General Zaroff’s little game that he is playing.
For example, Rainsford states that no animal can reason and General Zaroff comes back by saying my dear fellow, but there is one that can (Connell 225). That tension creates an example of suspense through its background knowledge explaining to us that the only animal that can reason is man. This adds conflict between the characters because to Rainsford, Zaroff was just a welcoming mannered man, until his last statement.
However, you’re pulled into the suspense after you continue reading and Rainsford begins to realize that Zaroff is none other than a murderer. Through all his smiles, General Zaroff’s game was put to an end when Rainsford was able to surprise him in is bedroom. “”Rainsford!’ screamed Zaroff; ‘How in god’s name did you get here?” ‘Swam, I found it quicker than walking through the jungle,” said Rainsford smirkingly; ‘I’m still a beast at bay.”” (Connell 236).
After the story was concluded you are left with the surprise of how things just flopped from what you expected but also glad that Rainsford won his battle. In conclusion, “The Most Dangerous Game” was a build up of many foreshadowing moments that led you to wonder what could happen next.
