THE HEROIC JOURNEY ARCHETYPE IN
RICHARD CONNELL’S “THE MOST
DANGEROUS GAME”
Presentation by: Britney Murchison, Kywajn Alston, Harley Riccardi,
Estefany Melara
THE HEROIC JOURNEY - THE CALL
The first call takes place in the beginning of “The Most Dangerous
Game” when Rainsford is on a yacht. It involves the gun shots
that are heard at a distance.
The second call is Zaroff’s proposal to Rainsford that Rainsford
play the hunting game with him.
THE HEROIC JOURNEY - HELPERS
• One of the helpers in this story is General Zaroff. He provides Rainsford with
the necessary gear he will need to survive in the wild. He even provides
Rainsford with a three hour head-start.
• Another helper could actually be the sea, the sea that was Rainsford’s
enemy in the beginning of the story becomes his friend/savior at the story’s
conclusion.
THE HEROIC JOURNEY – CROSSING THE THRESHOLD
This step is satisfied twice in the story. The first time a character crosses the
threshold is when Rainsford falls off the yacht and enters the ocean – a new
dimension/realm.
The second time this step is satisfied is when Rainsford begins Zaroff’s game
and enters the wild.
THE HEROIC JOURNEY – TESTS/ROAD OF TRIALS
• Rainsford begins the game by creating many trails meant to confuse Zaroff.
• In the wild Rainsford hides from Zaroff in a tree; Zaroff knows he’s there, but
does not kill him – I guess Zaroff wants to prolong the game.
• Rainsford continues to fight for his survival in the wild. He fills a pit with
wooden stakes, a pit that ends up claiming one of Zaroff’s dogs.
• Rainsford also builds a trap with his blade, which ultimately claims Ivan’s life.
• Rainsford plunges into the sea.
THE HEROIC JOURNEY – THE RETURN
• To Zaroff’s surprise, Rainsford is waiting for Zaroff behind the curtains in
Zaroff’s room. He emerges from behind the curtains and shocks the living
daylights out of Zaroff (after all, Zaroff thought Rainsford perished when he
jumped into the sea).
THE HEROIC JOURNEY – FINAL BATTLE
• Rainsford defeats Zaroff and feeds Zaroff to his dogs.
THE HEROIC JOURNEY – ELIXIR
• In “The Most Dangerous Game,” the elixir is when the author shares that
Rainsford had never slept in a more comfortable bed. Because he won the
game, I guess Rainsford now inherits everything that belonged to Zaroff. Is
this the reward? Will Rainsford share the island with the prisoners???
THANK YOU
• We hope you enjoyed our presentation. Any questions???