“The Most Dangerous game” (Connell) and “Hunters in the Snow” (Wolff) are both fictional short stories. Even though both stories are about hunting, they each depict hunting differently. Connell’s story demonstrates a commercial fiction style of writing, while “Hunters in the Snow” (Wolff) is written using the literary fiction style.
Commercial fiction is written with the purpose to entertain and to let the reader escape into an imaginary world. While reading commercial fiction the person does not need to think as much as someone reading literary fiction, thus making commercial fiction quicker and easier to read .The plot, setting and theme are designed to amuse the reader and keep them guessing and make them wonder what will happen next. Commercial fiction, in a way, can be compared to a great action movie with lots of suspense and thrills. What you read is what you get. There are no deep or subliminal messages that the author tries to make clear, unlike in literary fiction.
Literary fiction, on the other hand, can also be written for entertainment purposes, but more so to challenge people’s thoughts and beliefs and gives readers another outlook at society and everyday tribulations we as humans face. Literary fiction is written so the reader has to actually think. At times, the material can even get people upset and trigger certain emotions. Dissimilar to commercial fiction, literary fiction focuses on the reality of what could happen and not so much in an imaginary world, where everything and everyone is perfect.
The Essay on Fferent Types Of Criticism And Literary Movements In Short Stories
The short story dates back as early as the 14th Century. It offers what a novel or the equivalent would offer but it has a swiftness and completeness about it. According to Ruby Redinger, the short story is most powerful through graphic narration (752). The short story has captured a diverse group of things from the supernatural to an everyday occurrence. Nearly any situation can be worked into a ...
In this case, “The Most Dangerous Game” is considered commercial fiction due to the fact that there is not as much substance to the story. It does not make the reader think deeply about much other than hoping the main character gets off the island alive. It is about a man being hunted by another man. The hunted is Rainsford, who is the protagonist and he is being hunted by General Zaroff, the antagonist. The story is written in a typical way that most other commercial fiction is written. “Hunters in the Snow” is written typically, as well. For example, in the story Rainsford, the hunted, is trying to avoid being caught and killed by the the General. The General is playing games with him and he lets him know when he is near so Raisford will be nervous and do something to be caught, “Rainsford, called the general, if you are within the sound of my voice, as I suppose you are, let me congratulate you. Not too many men know how to make a Malay man catcher. Luckily, for me, I too have hunted in Malacca. You are proving more interesting, Mr. Rainsford. I am going to have my wound dressed; it’s only a slight one. But I shall be back. I shall be back.” (page 24) This helps build the suspense and also makes for a more dramatic and action driven plot. The story has dialogue and deep concepts that actually make the reader think and possibly even try to connect to the characters.
Literary fiction may not be as enjoyable as commercial fiction, but you can get more out of it. It is more realistic and can help the reader see life and its sometimes chaotic situations from a different perspective. For instance in the short story, “Hunters in the snow,” which is derived from literary fiction, the author uses typical scenarios and dialogue found in this type of fiction. In the story written about 3 friends who go on a hunting trip, the reader can sense a struggle of power between the characters which is very commonly used in this style of writing. For instance, in the story, Kenny fired a bullet at a dog, killing him. He then pointed the gun at his friend, Tub, who has been picked on throughout the entire story. Not knowing that his friend(Kenny) was joking while he said, “I hate you” Tub shot Kenny because he thought Kenny was going to shoot at him after he shot the dog for, what it seemed, no reason. “Tub shot from the waist. Kenny jerked backward against the fence and buckled to his knees. He folded his hands across his stomach.” “You shot me,” Kenny said. This was somewhat suspenseful to the reader because it left the reader wondering what was going to happen next.
The Essay on A Comparative Study Of Two Science Fiction Stories
H. G. Wells and John Wyndham have both created science fiction stories. However, the stories contain both similarities and differences. The main similarity of these novels are the arrival of extra terrestrial life landing on planet Earth. Each author goes about this in a slightly different way though. If you were to picture an alienation visit then H. G. Wells approach is the idea that you would ...
Commercial fiction can a make a reader think outside the box somewhat, but mainly focuses on letting the reader escape into a fantasy world for a short period of time so they can forget about the everyday stresses life brings. On the other hand, Literary fiction can posses some of the same qualities, but certainly makes the reader reflect more on their thinking skills.
Connell, Richard. “The Most Dangerous Game.” Story and Structure: An Introduction to Fiction. Ed. United States: Lyn Uhl, 2009, 2006. 9-27. Print.
Wolff, Tobias. “Hunters in the Snow.” Story and Structure: An Introduction to Fiction. Ed. United States: Lyn Uhl. 2009, 2006. 28-41.Print.
