"Character is what you are in the dark." -Dwight Lyman Moody. I interpret this quote as, "You are most yourself when you are alone." I'm going to compare this to Rainsford of "The Most Dangerous Game." I disagree with the quote while comparing it to Rainsford. My reasoning being throughout all of "The Most Dangerous Game", his core character doesn't change and he keeps his composure even though he is alone and may meet his demise. "I will not lose my nerve. I will not." is what Rainsford when the General let him go, even in the face of death he keeps his nerve through sheer willpower. Throughout the story, Rainsford continues to be smart and due to this, does not change in any way. This shows how Rainsford is a proficient hunter, and not even the face of death will make him show his true character. This is because Rainsford already is his truest self and does not need any support to reveal that to the reader. …show more content…
He is another example that the quote, "You are most yourself when you're alone." does not apply to him. Throughout all of the story, he is shown as honorable, and cunning. All throughout the story, even when he could have died or killed another, Zaroff keeps his hunter prowess and honor. "Rainsford," called the general, "if you are within sound of my voice, as I suppose you are, let me congratulate you. Not many men know how to make a Malay mancatcher. Luckily for me I, too, have hunted in Malacca. You are proving interesting, Mr. Rainsford. I am going now to have my wound dressed; it's only a slight one. But I shall be back. I shall be back." this shows us that Zaroff, even in the face of death, will still honor the person trying to kill
As I hear Sanger Rainsford try to coax Ivan, I decide to come down the steps. Ivan clicked his heels together and saluted me, as he should.
glass window. We were drawing near the island then. What I felt was a --
Only, this isn’t fantasy. Zaroff is not a character from a book. He is alive and well. This is real life. And the General’s existence is a crime and should have consequences for it’s actions.
Rainsford is certainly a brave character. ‘“Hunting, Good God, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder” (110). Rainsford is composed until he figures out that Zaroff’s new species is human beings. Rainsford has just met this man, doesn’t know where he is or anything about those people but he still puts his foot down. Rainsford knew it was murder, and so did Zaroff, but it was brave for Rainsford to tell him he would not keep a secret of what Zaroff was doing and Rainsford demanded to be taken home immediately. Rainsford was brave to tell Zaroff, straight forward, that he would not participate in his game. ‘“Ivan,” he said to Rainsford, “will supply you with hunting clothes, food, and a knife”’ (170). Rainsford was now in the game and had to participate. His bravery came out when a three day duel was forced against his will.
We see this from the beginning of the story, Zaroff is cold, cruel, and dishonest from the start of the story until the end we can never truly trust what he says. We see examples of his dishonest behavior when he tells Rainsford that he won’t use dogs then he inevitably does. Rainsford on the other hand is a more compassionate individual although he hunts and kills animals for sport we see early in the story he questions these actions when he realizes how the animals might feel when he is put in the same situation as them. Despite the fact he is actively trying to kill Zaroff during the story, he’s only doing it for self-defense even at the end when he willingly chooses to duel and kill Zaroff we can still see he is trying to protect the life pf the next poor soul to come to the island by ending Zaroff’s reign of
A trait that helps Rainsford survive is that he doesn't view himself as a victim. Gonzales says, “‘These are people who tend to have a view of the world that does not paint them as a victim’”(2). General Zaroff says, "'Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best dogs. Again you score'" (14).
Rainsford uses his intellectual composure during the most frightening of circumstances. He uses this to his advantage when attempting to outsmart Zaroff during the game. Rainsford’s actions portray his ability to outsmart his component and win the game. Rainsford’s quickness to react to certain situations also displays his desire to win maintain his title. “Rainsford knew he could do one or two things. He could wait, which is suicide. Or he could flee” (Cornell 74). Rainsford’s plan does not include giving up. Rainsford’s continuously proves why he remains the champion in the most dangerous game.
General Zaroff is an intelligent as well as insensitive hunter, who has no real ambition in life except to hunt. Yet, he has defeated all prey and now he doesn't know what to do next. He changes into a two-faced savage once he finds the “the ideal quarry ... It must have courage, cunning, and, above all, it must be able to reason”, keeping him occupied for as long as he wishes. You would think he is a “cold-blooded murderer, considering his life's purpose was to pursue humans, yet some points go against that. In mid-conversation with Rainsford after his arrival, Zaroff stresses, “I always got my quarry. Always. There is no greater bore than perfection.” Zaroff's realization on this fact caused him to seek quarry that could keep him occupied.
When Zaroff took in Rainsford that night he washed up on the island, there was no evidence that pointed to him being a bad guy. From his admiration and recognition of Rainsford as an author to touring him around his house and treating him to dinner, everything Zaroff made himself out to be was painting him in a good light. However, the quote refers to how you act in the dark as a true show of character, and this is where Zaroff differs from Rainsford. In "The Most Dangerous Game", Zaroff represents the deceitful side of what this quote means. While he acted very nice and hospitable to Rainsford in his presence, the reveal of Zaroff's favorite activity foreshadowed that come tomorrow, that same attitude might not be there.
Throughout “The Most Dangerous Game” Rainsford is continuously being hunted by General Zaroff, which is one example of man vs man. Rainsford is feeling a lot of fear and he realizes that animals actually do feel fear. “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided”(14). Rainsford was running away from General Zaroff, but when he was running
Rainsford notice that Ivan may want to chop him up and watch him bleed. General Zaroff says ¨I’m afraid , like all his race, a bit of a savage.’” (Connell 23). He thinks that he might get killed from a savage. The sound Rainsford hears might trigger his past memory. He might remember “ It was a distant sound, faint and wavering, but he knew it. It was the baying of a pack of hounds “ (Connell 35). The protagonist might get mentally scared from this experience. Realization that he is going to die if he doesn't do something. General Zaroff said to scare the main character “‘But may I not venture to suggest that you will find my idea of the sport more diverting than Ivan’s?’¨ (Connell 30). He sees that he will get killed quicker if he decides that he doesn't go with the general. In summary Rainsford won't hunt anymore cause he has been put under too much
Throughout this journal, Zaroff can be characterized as mysterious and cold hearted. First off, Zaroff is mysterious for these reasons. When Rainsford arrived, Zaroff stared at him for no reason in particular. They started talking and Zaroff knew a great deal of information about Rainsford from reading his books. The mood, over all that he had set, was incredibly uncomfortable and unsettling from the tone of his voice and the manner of his language. Also, Zaroff can be characterized as extremely cold hearted. From the beginning, we knew Zaroff was a little suspicious. The fact that he does not find an interest in hunting animals anymore is odd therefore he goes for humans. Zaroff said, “Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and,
Richard Connell uses characterization to develop the character of Zaroff, one way he does that is, changing Zaroff’s treatment of Rainsford over the course of the story. The author shows that General Zaroff has lost the ability to determine men from beasts, suggesting that he has lost his humanity. He used, General Zaroff's few refined habits to conceal his desire to inflict death for his own amusement. "Precisely," said the general. "That is why I use them. It gives me pleasure. They can reason, after a fashion. So they are dangerous." (Connell). Zaroff takes pleasure in harming human being’s, as seen in his thoughts during the story.
Rainsford is trying to stay calm while getting hunted by the general. He says “I will not lose my nerve” that’s important because if he doesn’t stay calm he can give away his position to the general.