General Zaroff: Hunting for Havoc Charles Darwin's theory, survival of the fittest, is a mechanism that revolves around animals having to adapt to their environment in order to survive. This theory also relates to how people respond to situations in their everyday life. Often humans react to certain situations only considering how it will affect them. The end result blinds people and they will stop at nothing to achieve that goal. For Zaroff, he sees every part of life as a game that ends only in victory for him. Win after win, he gains an addictive sensation of endless satisfaction which makes him ruthless and cold-blooded. Throughout “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, Zaroff uses many traps to imprison shipwrecked sailors on his …show more content…
He uses his knowledge to his advantage when strategically stalking his game. Zaroff states that in order to be hunted “ it must have courage, cunning, and, above all, it must be able to reason” (70). These are just a few of the attributes that make up the most dangerous game that he is willing to hunt. However, this is ironic because no animal has these abilities which is why he goes after humans. Killing innocent sailors goes against the reasoning and principles of any human being. Zaroff's way of trapping sailors is unique, he would press a button and the water channel would show “... giant rocks with razor edges crouch[ing] like a sea monster with wide-opened jaws. They crush a ship as easily as [he] can crush a walnut…” (71). He uses his analytical mind to plan every step of the hunt so in no way is he outsmarted. Zaroff sees himself as the most intelligent and fascinating hunter who keeps searching for a defiant game. There is no animal to cure his satisfaction so “[he has] to invent a new animal to hunt” (69). His idea of a vigorous hunt is one that involves humans. This way he is able to out reason and outwit his captives. This is similar to people in their daily lives doing whatever they can just to survive. People tend to push others to their breaking point mentally and physically just to make themselves feel better, which …show more content…
First, he welcomes Rainsford into his home by connecting with him on a personal level by stating that “I [am reading] [Rainsford’s] book about hunting snow leopards in Tibet…” (66). This connection Zaroff is able to make with Rainsford in one of their first encounters that starts their deadly game. Often people see this same game in life, gaining a sense of trust with each other which will ultimately lead to heartbreak. Zaroff invites Rainsford to stay in his home, just to try and kill him later. Zaroff does all of these fatal games just to never take credit for them. For example, he blames the shipwrecked sailors on “... an angry god of the high seas...” (71). He knows he is in the wrong but fails to admit to any of his wrongdoings making him untrustworthy. This is seen in the daily lives of normal people too. People will lie and cheat just to get something they desire. Zaroff can be seen sharing similar traits with normal people. They may not kill innocent humans, but they go through many obstacles just to be deceitful to their peers. Zaroff uses his tricks again and again to Rainsford by saying that “[he] refuses to believe that such a modern and civilized young man as [he] seem[s] to harbor romantic ideas about the value of human life. Surely [his] experiences in the war...” (70). Zaroff assumes Rainsford would have similar feelings toward the situation since he
what you speak of is murder” (Connell 5). Rainsford is very astonished by this, if you couldn’t tell. The reader can infer that this isn’t the only time that Zaroff has killed a person because he made a game of it. Usually, when someone commits a murder, they are punished
General Zaroff displays little empathy for human life while explaining his murderous game to Rainsford. “‘I refuse to believe that so modern and civilized a young man as you seem to be harbors romantic ideas about the value of human life.’” (Connell 10). General Zaroff reveals his philosophy that human life has no value and that killing for his own pleasure is justifiable. Both Sanger Rainsford and General Zaroff are characters that accurately depict the characteristics of an adventure story.
He honestly wanted to befriend Rainsford, but once things go opposite of how he wanted, he decides to try to kill him. Zaroff believes that he is the top of the food chain, above humans that he considered “scum of the Earth”. Zaroff is not well mannered or respectful when it comes to fellow humans. Zaroff even captures humans and keeps them
I think what pushed Rainsford into killing Zaroff was that he felt as though he had no choice to to kill him or be killed. When the author states “Rainsford did not smile. “I am still a beast at bay,” he said, in a low, hoarse voice.” in page 42, I think that sentence kind of summarize exactly that. I don’t think what Rainsford did would be considered murder to a certain extent.
“I live for danger” General Zaroff says to Rainsford. When Zaroff says this, it sparks the main conflict. Most games are fun, but this game is not like most games. Rainsford is forced to play this game against Zaroff. In the Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell, the central man vs. man conflict changes Rainsford from the hunter, to the huntee, and back to the hunter.
Rainsford is a witty and caring character. The passion Rainsford has, devotes his entire life to hunting, but Zaroff obsession is much more extreme, Zaroff was
What perils that tangle of trees and underbrush might hold for him did not concern Rainsford just then.” The island is a maze and can get anyone who goes in it get lost, but Zaroff knows his way and can easily find his way around. This proves that Zaroff’s game is unfair because he knows his way around the island. Last but not least Zaroff is a cheater; while explaining the rules he never said anything about having dogs who will easily catch the hunted. Whilst explaining the rules Zaroff states, “If my quarry eludes me for three whole days, he wins.”
When it is revealed that what Zarroff hunts is humans, Rainsford reacts shockingly, assuming the general is joking. After doubling down and confirming that he is not joking, Rainsford says, “Hunting? General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder” (35). Zaroff, however, does not see it this way, believing that hunting humans is a natural progression for someone who has become bored with hunting animals. He tells Rainsford, “I had to invent a new animal to hunt...
General Zaroff and The Atrocity That is Hunting Humans Hunting animals or people for sport is cruel,unethical, and unfathomable. Human beings like General Zaroff, who believe that hunting the weak of humankind is acceptable are ruthless monsters. I strongly disagree with General Zaroff’s way of thinking. Hunting humans is cruel and inhumane. Zaroff claims he is “civilized”(14) yet he says he hunts humans because it gives him “pleasure”(14).
But Zaroff gets cocky while hunting Rainsford when he “[v]ery deliberately [blows] a smoke ring into the air…” (Connell 12). Zaroff wants the hunt to continue because the excitement of torturing Rainsford is filling him with joy. Later in the story, Rainsford wins and Zaroff is killed. In the end, Zaroff wants to hunt humans, and Rainsford will supply the perfect thrill for him, but he gets cocky and Rainsford kills him, illustrating how the benefits one finds from selfishness can be quickly
He doesn't value the lives of humans and slaughters them for pleasure. He thinks, because he is stronger, he can kill weaker people. He believes killing people is not murder because he gets fulfillment from it. This shows a loss of humanity because he has explicitly shown he doesn’t care for the people he is killing. He sees hunting humans the same as hunting animals, a sport.
In the beginning, Zaroff hunted animals for fun. After killing every imagined animal, he decided to hunt humans. “There is no greater bore than perfection,” said General Zaroff. This explains why the General was bored after he managed to hunt and kill every animal. After any ship was trapped by Ship-Trap Island, Zaroff would then train the sailors how to hunt.
Both Rainsford and Zaroff share common passions, skills and ideology. Initially, there is admiration between both characters, but their similarities become the cause of the conflict. Rainsford murders Zaroff and has put an end to the murderous human
Also, General Zaroff is an extreme hunter and doesn’t find pleasure in hunting regular animals. Zaroff says the most dangerous game is humans because they have the ability to reason. Rainsford is going to be hunted and is given a certain amount of time to survive. Moreover, while Rainsford is being hunted Zaroff
“I am strong, I hunt the scum of the earth”(17). He only kills them because he wants to hunt something that can reason, something that can change its mind when faced with a life or death situation. “But they are men,” said Rainsford hotly. “Precisely,” said the general”(17). Zaroff is an apex hunter, and he demands the ultimate prey.