"The Most Dangerous Game" Ironies

The short story, “The Most Dangerous Game” contains many literary elements. The most prominent of these elements is definitely irony. The author effectively uses irony in the title and conversations between characters to make the story much more interesting to read and express the minds of the characters. The first irony in the story is the title. “The Most Dangerous Game” becomes a horrifying reality rather than a game for Rainsford when he becomes the hunted. Rainsford has been the hunter his whole career until he landed on Shiptrap Island. By the time he realizes what he had gotten himself into, he finds himself fleeing for his life. The readers may think this short story is about a mere game, but it becomes more than that in actuality. The second irony is found in the conversation between Whitney and Rainsford. In the beginning of the story, these two characters are talking about hunting and how animals feel when they are being hunted. Rainsford said “Who cares how a jaguar feels?” and Whitney replied, “Perhaps the jaguar does.” In response, Rainsford said “Bah! They’ve no understanding.” Ironically, he later finds himself as the prey and running for his life. The third irony in the story is found in another conversation between Rainsford and General Zaroff. After Rainsford had arrived at Zaroff’s castle, they talked about hunting and how Zaroff had become bored of hunting animals. When Zaroff told Rainsford that he hunts men, Rainsford called him a murderer, which made Zaroff quite uncomfortable. Ironically, Zaroff then tries to counter the accusation by saying that he “treat(s) these visitors with every consideration,” and that he gives his “specimen” a supply of food and an excellent hunting knife. It is ironic that Zaroff thinks he is doing good for the people he traps in his island. The author used irony very effectively throughout the story by using it in the conversations between characters. The title was also ironic because the “game” that Zaroff talks about becomes more than a simple hunt. “The Most Dangerous Game” presents the readers with several instances of irony that are simple to catch and decipher.