General Zaroff Character Traits

In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell antagonist General Zaroff who had taken his love and skill for hunting to the extreme by hunting humans. His decision to hunt humans is a result of his personalities. General Zaroff is a highly intelligent individual, having read the protagonist’s books, and demonstrating great craft when creating the game on his island. He even admits that he has an analytical mind. “‘Now, mine is an analytical mind, Mr. Rainsford. Doubtless that is why I enjoy the problems of the chase’” (Connell, 6). Zaroff shows his intelligence at Connell’s first introduction of him. He arrives in evening clothes with hand ready to shake. He speaks in a refined and well educated voice. “‘It is a very great

I have but one passion in my life, Mr. Rainsford, and it is the hunt” (Connell, 5). He has read many books about hunting in multiple different languages. He lives in a rich house, drinking champagne that Rainsford described as: "surpassingly good" (Connell, 5). Gerneral Zaroff's bed, also described by Rainsford was the best of the beds he has slept in.

General Zaroff proves himself to be many things, but being heartless is a personality that defines him more than anything. Rainsford argues about the humanity of Zaroff he responds with “Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my gift?” (Connell, 8). This personality of him allows Zaroff to kill people without any thought of what is right. He does not have any empathy for the people stranded on his island waiting to be killed.

All in all, Genral Zaroff is a twisted aging man who wants to kill people for sport without ever thinking of what the feelings of others are around him. His intelligence, sophistication, and heartlessness all create a very round