Help with My Thesis...?

Question

In the short story, “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, Rainsford first tells of his hunting experiences and all the countries he visits on his hunting trips. He claims the prey doesn’t feel fear but when he himself is forced to be the hunted he fears for his life. This can be inferred to; men want to be the hunters, and not the hunted.

How can I change my thesis to make it stronger?...

Answer 1

um try working with this...sometimes its just a matter of re-phrasing to get your point across.

Thesis:

In Richard Connell's short story "The most dangerous game" One can infer many things about Rainsford's hunting experiences. When analyzing this story however, it is clear that Connell's primary message to the reader is that men want to be the hunters, and not the hunted.


Paragraph 1: start with a sentence that opposes your thesis (such as...even though ______, (this happens) (supporting text can proove otherwise)


i hope that helps

Answer 2

I haven't read this story and am not familiar with it beyond your description. However, your conclusion that men want to be the hunters and not the hunted is a little simple. From what you say, Rainsford is something of a braggart and lout, first bragging about all the places he's visited, then claiming that hunted animals feel no fear. The first of these is clearly bragging and the second is loutish insensitivity. Anyone who owns a cat or dog will occasionally see fear/anguish in the animal's face when it gets scolded or is about to be punished. It's overly convenient on Rainsford's part to say that the animals he hunts have no such emotions. Rainsford is an insensitive braggart who believes the world exists for his pleasure.

This is hubris, and hubris is best served with exactly the sort of twist you describe. If he has more than two brain cells to rub together, Rainsford should learn that animals are afraid when hunted and this fear can lead them to do almost anything to protect themselves. What I don't know is whether Rainsford learns from the experience or if he simply shoughs it off and goes back to his former life of boorishness and insensitivity. Hopefully, the short story will help you out with that.

Good luck on the thesis!