The short story "The Most Dangerous Game," by Richard Connell is a remarkable example of good commercial fiction. However, it has an implausible back drop, is suspenseful, and has a surprising ending. In addition, there is a hero and a villain; like all commercial fiction the hero overcomes all obstacles.
             As the story commences, two hunters Rainsford and Whitney, sail into the darkness of the sea. They are heading to the Amazon to hunt dangerous animals such as jaguars, and tigers. Suddenly Rainsford hears three gun shots fired and again, hears a scream while smoking a pipe. Tension rises when suddenly his pipe falls and he loses his balance as he tries to reach for it. Having fallen into the ocean, he reaches an isolated island known as "Ship- Trap Island." "His eyes made out the shadowy outlines of a palatial chateau; it was set on a high bluff, and on three sides of it cliffs dived down to where the sea licked greedy lips in the shadows." Rainsford thought it was all a hallucination but is hit with "reality" when he meets Zaroff the owner of this island. Zaroff invites Rainsford into his huge mansion stocked with all amenities fit for a king. Later he explains to Rainsford that no one ever leaves the island. Rainsford is given the impression that General Zaroff is a wealthy and prominent hunter.
             While Rainsford tries to get comfortable with the place Zaroff expresses his feelings about his hunting experiences. The General explains that "hunting was beginning to bore him," and reveals that he had to invent a new animal to hunt, one that must have "courage, cunning, and, above all, it must be able to reason." As Rainsford's bewilderment shows in his face, the suspense grows. Rainsford claims that no animal can reason and when he realizes what Zaroff is doing, he calls it cold-blooded murder.
             When Zaroff insists Rainsford go hunting with him, they come to an agreem...