Graham Greenes The Destructors and Richard Connells The Most Dangerous Game - Thesis Example

of Assignment # and --------------------------------- SEMESTER OF ENROLLMENT----------------------------- ---------------------------------------ID#----------------------------- WRITING STLY USED MLA Name Professor’s Name Course Title Date Thesis Statement: The characterization and setting in both Graham Greene’s “The Destructors” and Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game” are central elements that set the tone for the pieces. Further exploration will also reveal the way in which the tone corresponds to the action developed that advances the plot. I. Introduction II. Graham Greene’s The Destructors A. Characterization 1. Mike, T. and Blackie 2. Mr Thomas B. Setting 1. An old post war home C. Tone 1. Drab and bland 2 Ordinary and banal III. Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game A. Characterization 1. Rainsford 2. General Zaroff B. Setting 1. Ship-Trap Island C. Tone 1. Dark and mysterious 2. Powerful and austere IV. Comparing the two pieces A. Both dominant parties are completely disrespectful B. Both victims are people of better character than their attackers V. Contrastsing the two pieces A. Everyday life and setting vs the tropical island and unusual occurrence B. Impoverished youth vs wealthy noble and elite C. Mr Thomas is completely ruined vs Rainsford overpowering his attacker VI. Conclusion A. Summary of key points 1. There are some similarities in the two 2. The tone of the two pieces is very different A) Final notes on the thesis statement 1. How setting and characterization are important elements in every piece of fiction and how they can be developed to set the tone of a piece 2. The way in which the tone corresponds to the action developed in the plot “The Destructors” is an amusing tale about a group of young boys that set out to demolish a neighbor’s home while he is away on a holiday. The main characters, Mike, T and Blackie are all members of the Wormsley Commons car park gang. Mike, the leader of the boys is always gruff and even sarcastic to the others. As the strongest figure he is well suited to be the leader. All of them are from working class families except for T whose real name is Trevor. Trevor’s father was an architect who unfortunately lost his job and had to seek other means to support his family. T appreciates the fine qualities about Mr Thomas’s house, having some knowledge about buildings and architecture. Once he describes Mr Thomas’s home, “It’s a beautiful house.” (Greene 1)And then worries about the other boys hearing him say it. Aside from his name, which is an upper class one, a word such as beautiful is also something that might only be said by people with a more elevated lifestyle. The characters are very young and there isn’t any other indication as to why they are so destructive and defiant. As in most short stories, the main action progresses rather quickly from the very beginning so there isn’t any information as to why the characters are the way they are. The gang is motivated to destroy Mr Thomas’s home by what they believe to be the greatness of doing so. Blackie is intrigued by the idea of becoming famous for the escapade. “ The fame of the Wesley Common car park gang would surely reach around London. There would be headlines in the papers. Even the grown-up gangs who ran the betting at the all-in-wrestling and the barrow-boys would hear with respect of how Old Misery’s house had been destroyed.” (Greene 1) The story is set in post war England in a neighborhood that was demolished by the bombing. The group takes their name from the nearby railway station. The urban area is illustrated with the author’s description of the gray and drab surroundings. Furthering the details of the setting are the tools and activity that takes place during the story. Although the boys are demolishing a home that could be in any town or area, Graham Greene portrays a feeling of barrenness and sterility by adhering only to the storyline. There is very little else described other than their successful undertaking. The urban setting, often characterized by a more mature youth, is ably illustrated in the story. The boys without much else to do are vandalistic and destructive, still evidenced today by what is known as inner city youth. The tone of the piece is rather naïve but also dissident. The boys are so taken with the idea and activity of destroying the house and plan and go about it enthusiastically. Their complete disrespect for Mr Thomas and his property may be because they are too young to have developed a sense of what right from wrong but may only be their personalities. Many older people are equally lacking in respect for others but their exuberance is in large part due to their immaturity and lack of realization of what they are doing. They engage in the adventure as if it were merely something fun to do. When they come upon Mr Thomas’s savings hidden in a mattress they respond by saying they don’t steal things. Instead they burn the bills. Only because of their ignorance do they react that way. Not wanting to steal is admirable but rather than simply leaving the money they destroy that too. Their sense of what the money means and can do is completely absent. The tone is established in keeping with the young age of the gang and the postwar setting amplifies the already run down neighborhood. Furthering this sense of damage and destruction, the boys set out to add to it. The two main characters in Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game” Rainsford and General Zaroff, are both powerful men. Both are hunters and have extremely strong personalities. Grahm Greene illustrates this in their actions and speech. Upon meeting Rainsford, General Zaroff praises him for his excellent reputation in England. He adds that he knows of him because of his fame as a hunter and has long admired him. He appears to be delighted to have him as a guest as in any other social setting. Upon further exposition we see why. General Zaroff has taken the sport of hunting game to include men. Having such a worthy opponent, an expert hunter himself, is probably what makes this encounter so exciting. When General Zaroff tells Gainsford how he grew board with hunting animals and has now turned to hunting men, Gainsford is appalled. Rather than finding the idea intriguing himself he is outraged. General Zaroff has completely done away with respect for another human being. Although this may not be true in all cases, the idea that another man is no more than prey is horrifying to Gainsford and he brazenly admonishes Zaroff for it. Throughout the story we see how both men use their keen minds and carefully honed skills to outwit each other. In the end Gainsford over powers his attacker. The setting of the story is just as exciting as the events that occur. A tropical island where no one returns. There is even a mystique about it and it is a place of legend among sailors. One of the men aboard Gainsfords’s ship before he arrives at the island tells him of this. “OFF THERE to the right—somewhere—is a large island,” said Whitney. “It’s rather a mystery__”What island is it?” Rainsford asked. “The old charts call it ‘Ship=Trap Island,’” Whitney replied. “A suggestive name, isn’t it? Sailors have a curious dread of the place. I don’t know why. Some superstition—“ (Connell 1) Perhaps there have been other reasons sailors became afraid of the place other than the goings on of General Zaroff but we do not know. The tone is set by the intense action in the story but the characters commanding personalities and the mysterious quality of the island add to this by enhancing the sense of adventure and intrigue. If set in another less exotic locale the piece may not be as exciting. A dark and foreboding terrain that Zaroff must navigate while being hunted add to the quick paced plot and heightened sense of danger. If both of the men were not as powerful the action would not be as daring. Both “The Destructors” and “The Most Dangerous Game” are stories about the victimization of one party by another. In both, the attackers are completely disrespectful of the victim’s rights. This is part of certain individuals’ human nature and terribly disappointing. Their lacking of a sense of how another person should be treated is evidenced by the blatant disregard for the other’s person or property. In “The Destructors” we see the boys completely destroy Mr Thomas’s house and in “The Most Dangerous Game” Zaroff actually hunts Gainsford with the intent to kill. Both want to hurt the other, not caring at all for what damage might be done. In the two stories, both victims have finer characters than their attackers. We can be sympathetic in our opinion because we like them. There isn’t any reason to revile either of them While the two are similar in that respect they do differ. Mr Thomas is completely ruined by the boys’ actions while Zaroff himself is overpowered in the end by Gainsford. The reader may have different opinions about both depending upon their own personality. While one may be glad for another to be ruined some people may frown upon hurting another. While the victory of the protagonist is often a theme in literature and readers hope for a positive outcome this may be contrary when the leading character is devoid of emotion without any redeeming qualities. This is the case in both Graham Greene’s and Richard Connell’s pieces. Still as happens in “The Destructors” we can only sympathize with Mr Thomas while in “The most dangerous Game” we cheer at Gainsfords success in defeating Zaroff. Setting and characterization are important elements in every piece of fiction and can be developed to set the tone for a piece. The tone also corresponds to the action in the plot. If the piece is soft and delicate the actions may be gentle as well. If it is exciting and energetic there may be many plot twists and strong actions. The characters must be developed well to carry out these actions as would be believable. They therefore must have the qualities to perform them that are in keeping with the overall tone. By being consistent in time, place and traits of the character they all work together at establishing and illustrating a particular feel throughout the work. References: 1.Graham Greene, “The Destructors” Web. 10 Nov, 2011. 2. Richard Cornell, “The Most Dangerous Game” Web. 10 Nov, 2011. Read More