Donaldson 1
Reese Donaldson
Mr. Beson
Honors English 9
10/15/14
Why is "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell better than "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne?
The story "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell is much better than "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Although they have similar qualities the "Most Dangerous Game's" setting is more captivating, the characterization is better, and the ending is easier to understand.
Taking place in 17th century Puritan New England, "Young Goodman Brown's" setting is sapless in comparison to the mystical and enthralling island of "The Most Dangerous Game." In "The Most Dangerous Game" author Richard Connell takes time to describe the island on which Rainsford becomes trapped. "A large islandâ¦rather a mysteryâ¦the old charts call it "Ship-Trap Island"â¦rocky shore⦠dense jungle came down to the very edge of the cliffsâ¦closely knit web of trees."
(Connell) In contrast "Young Goodman Brown" has no description of the stories setting. "Young Goodman Brown came forth at sunset into the street of Salem village." (Hawthorne) Connell makes an effort to use adjectives and gives us not only, a mental picture of what Ship-Trap Island looks like but also, gives us feelings that we'd have if we were actually present. Hawthorne gives us a time of day and a town name. People without prior knowledge of Salem's history, look or location may find the setting hard to understand.
"The Most Dangerous Game" also has more compelling and esprit characters than the drab and lifeless ones of "Young Goodman Brown." "The man was singularly handsome; there was something original about his face. He was tall and past middle age, for his hair was a vivid white; but his thick eyebrows and pointed military mustache...