General Zarroff Character Analysis Essay

Did you know some people hunt humans for pure enjoyment? This is true in the story “The Most Dangerous Game”. Richard Connell writes a story in the time of 1924 that consists directly from the idea of hunters hunting humans. This starts when a big game hunter named Rainsford finds himself stranded on a unknown island by accident and runs into a chateau where he meets a suspicious man named Zaroff, from there Rainsford finds out Zaroff hunts humans who come to the island by trapping them with a lure. Rainsford then plays the game of hunt with Zaroff.

The experienced hunter finds himself coming to shore on Ship-Trap Island, learning about what the man residing in the manor actually does. He is pressed with two options, play the game or die by the hand of Ivan without the hope of ever escaping. Rainsford agrees to the game with gritted teeth, degrading himself to the position of the hunted. He is allowed his time to rest before the hunt begins. He struggles to keep himself collected, always telling him to mind his nerves.

Spitz is an example of who is wants to remain the best and persevere to not let his enemy, Buck, to get in his paths. He uses violence to overcome his obstacles and takes every chance. “This was Spitz’s opportunity. He sprang upon Buck, and twice his teeth sank into his unresisting foe and ripped and tore the flesh to the bone” (London 34). Another dog, Billee, has a different personality.

After Rainsford arrives on Ship-Trap Island, he discovers a mansion where General Zaroff lives, the antagonist of the story. General Zaroff pretends to be a civilized person just living on a deserted island, but in reality, he is a cold-blooded murder. General Zaroff tricks Rainsford into a false sense of security only to throw him into the jungle and force him to participate in his disgusting game of hunting humans for amusement. Rainsford has to stay alive for three days in order to live, and he has to fight for his life during the hunt. In the end Rainsford is able to win, and by doing so gains knowledge that changes him.

In his opinion, “The world is made up of two classes the hunters and the huntees (Connell 216)”. As a result of his wrong opinion, the tables turn in the story and Rainsford becomes the one being hunted. This is both his external conflict and an unexpected turn of events. Eventually, although this was tough for him, Rainsford ends up winning the game. When informed that he had won Rainsford responded: “I am still a beast at bay; he

“The line between good and evil is permeable and almost anyone can be induced to cross it when pressured by situational forces.” (Phillip Zombardo) William Golding, the author of a well known book, “Lord of the Flies”, beliefs what Phillip Zombardo said about good and evil. According to the book he wrote, he thinks that humans can very easily cross the line between good and evil. In the book, there is a group of boys that their ages range gets stranded on an island and they have to survive. But as time goes along, evil started to overwhelm them by situational forces. Therefore, they become like savage dogs and only think about killing.

Macbeth’s mania gets to a point where, “[the Witches] no longer need to go and meet him; he seeks them out. He has committed himself to his course of evil… We have no hope that he will reject their advice; but… they make careful preparations to deceive him into [accepting it]” (Bradley 345). When his rule is at stake, Macbeth willingly tries to seek reassurance from deceptive, treacherous beings without thinking of the consequences. Additionally, Bradley wrote “and, almost as though to intimate how entirely the responsibility for his deeds still lies with Macbeth, Shakespeare makes his first act after this interview one for which his tempters gave him not a hint - the slaughter of Macduff’s wife and children” (345). Because he saw Macduff as a threat, without any hesitation Macbeth decided to kill the ones he loves because of his acquired ruthlessness.

Through examination of Lord of the Flies, Golding seems to share this point of view. When left in an environment lacking authority, the boys attempt to follow the fundamental rule of nature, electing Ralph as their leader and for a time, following his rules. However, when another boy desired the same position, competition arose and Ralph was revealed to be less powerful and disrespected by the group. Jack found his power in feeding off the other boys’ fears, and using violent, animalistic techniques, which proved to be what they truly desired. War broke out between the two, as Hobbes predicted would happen in such circumstances, and morality was only restored when a powerful figure of authority finally arrived on the island.

“It is strength. He must be a terrible man who can raise a wagon like that on his back.” (59) Instead of immediately turning Valjean in, he waited to see what he had done. In seeing success, and how good of a man Valjean had become, he decided to give him a chance. Until Valjean made his whereabouts public at the trial, Javert stood back. When Valjean did unveil his true identity however, Javert was forced to hunt Valjean, or he would be great trouble.

Two great stories about a sailor trying to survive a world class hunter and a western town marshal trying to take on a gang alone are actually very interesting to compare. High Noon, written by Carl Foreman, is a movie about Will Kane, a marshal in the Wild West who is abandoned by his town when they find out Frank Miller is coming back to town. “The Most Dangerous Game,” by Richard Connell, is a story about a sailor who falls into the trap of a General who kills men for sport. He is forced to play his game or possibly get tortured, and chooses to take his chances with the game. High Noon and “The Most Dangerous Game” are two very different stories, however you will find that there are many similarities between the stories’ protagonists and settings.

“The Most Dangerous Game,” by Richard Connell, is a narrative about Mr. Sanger Rainsford, a celebrated hunter, who finds himself on a secluded island after falling overboard a yacht. Rainsford locates a large building on the island and meets General Zaroff, who invites him to rest and replenish his health in his home. After Zaroff explains that he also enjoys hunting, he also reveals that he has discovered a new, more dangerous animal to hunt: humans. Zaroff forces Rainsford to become the hunted in order to win his freedom and return to the mainland. Connell’s central idea suggests that instinct does not always yield to reason.

Despite all of General Zaroff’s success, fortune and his appeared attitude, Zaroff is in many ways not civilized. Civilized means being polite, well-mannered or treating others with respect. Well Zaroff treats Rainsford good at first evident by giving him a cocktail, treating him to a meal, and hoping to hunt with him until he says “I wish to leave this island at once”. This quote hit Zaroff in his heart. He honestly wanted to befriend Rainsford, but once things go opposite of how he wanted, he decides to try to kill him.

Jack exhibits this type of command, because under his conditions, he certainly enjoys being a savage. In the aftermath of Simon’s death, Jack displays that he uses terror to manipulate others when he said, “-and then, the beast might try to come in. You remember how he crawled-”(pg160) to one of his hunters that asked why they should defend the gate. Not only does Merridew uses the beast as his advantage, he has also shown that he’s willing to eliminate anyone who interferes with his path, even if it means crossing the line. When Ralph screamed at Jack that he’s chief, Meridew in response, charged at the original leader as if he was bloodlusted.

That also gave him another night to create another contraption so kill General Zaroff. Being crafty showed what it takes to survive by being hunted by another

A far off island in the Caribbean , for one its pleasure. For the other it 's certain death. Welcome to ship trap island. The title of the story is The most Dangerous game by Richard Connell. Rainsford demonstrates that he is Alert, Intelligent, and Talented by fighting for his life against the General.