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Ginny Barnes

Meyer

English I

30 May 2018

The Most Dangerous Game

What if Rainford was never playing the game, what if it all was a delusion. Based on the

evidence in the story The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Cornell, it seems like Rainsford

has what is called Psychosis. Psychosis is marked by paranoia, delusions, and confusion. You are

disconnected and lose touch with society. With this being said Rainsford was not in his right

mind and he was a sick man which just goes to show this whole “game” he was playing was just

a delusion/ hallucination.

Psychosis is a mental disorder that leads your mind to play tricks on you. The definition

of delusion is a belief that is being contradicted by what is generally being accepted as reality

according to Webmd.com. On page 8, Rainsford says “Hunting? Great Guns, General Zaroff,

what you speak of is murder.” As it is being showed in the quote, Rainsford is confused and in

disbelief. This has to be a delusion because hunting humans is not normal, it is not something

that happens on a daily basis, and its not normal. Psychosis is the only explanation for all of this

and delusions is not the only symptom that leads you to believe this.

Paranoia is another symptom that leads to the idea that Rainsford suffered from

psychosis. Webmd.com says that paranoia is believing that others are constantly trying to

demean, harm, or threaten them. On page 12, the narrator says “Rainsford's second thought was

even more terrible. It sent a shudder of cold horror through his whole being. Why had the general

smiled? Why had he turned back?” this is exemplifying the idea that everyone is after Rainsford.
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He is questioning why the general turned back and why had he smiled at him. Was that smile

fake? What was the general thinking about to make him turn back? These were questions that

Rainsford was thinking to himself after the fact, leading to his paranoia. Then again, even with

all of this being said, many people believe that all of these symptoms could be caused by a head

injury leading to amnesia.

Despite the evidence demonstrating psychosis, many people believe amnesia,

verywellmind.com shows you the similarities between the two symptoms, but they fail to see that

there is no evidence in the story to support this claim. Those who believe amnesia think that

when rainsford fell off the boat he suffered a head trauma leading to him having amnesia.

Although aspects of this argument are enticing, it ultimately fails to be a stronger argument

because it never stated that he hit his head or suffered from a head injury while falling off the

boat. Page twelve and page eight can prove these statements

Rainsford clearly wasn't in his right mind during this story which leads to the conclusion

that he has psychosis. Both of these disorders have similar symptoms but they’re different

enough that it leads to a good argument. But at the end of the day, considering both arguments,

psychosis is the reason this “game” is even going on. If rainsford has played this game for so

long then why would he still be confused by different noises and concepts of the game. The only

explanation would be that Rainsford has a mental disorder and the whole thing has been a

delusion.

Works Cited
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Cornell, Richard. The Most Dangerous Game.

http://www.dukeofdefinition.com/dangerous_game.pdf

Hartney, Elizabeth, and Steven Gans. “What You Should Know About Psychosis.” Verywell
Mind, Verywellmind, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-psychosis-
21951?_ga=2.51283817.154871078.1526349089-1888189189.1526349089.

“What Is Psychosis?” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/what-is-

psychosis#1.