The Most Dangerous Game free essay sample

When passion becomes an obsession; how far would let it take you? A very resourceful and intelligent man is about to enter a game that could end his life. Another man, also very intelligent and resourceful who is willing to sacrifice his virtues for the sake of a good game. Though two men can carry similar traits; their morals and values could be a whole other story. â€Å"The Most Dangerous Game† by Richard Connell, is a perfect example of this situation. Both Rainsford and Zaroff may seem to possess many of the same character traits, but when it comes to where they draw their moral line they couldn’t be more different. The protagonist, Sanger Rainsford, possesses many character traits. One of which is being quick minded. Having a quick intellect gives you the ability of having a nimble, and alert mind. Rainsford presents this by being able to promptly think of a solution with a limited amount of time. We will write a custom essay sample on The Most Dangerous Game or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page He was also able to demonstrate his quick-mind by staying cool, calm and collected during these moments of alarm. Sanger demonstrates his quick wits after falling off the boat. He realized that â€Å"There was a chance that his cries could be heard by someone aboard the yacht, but that chance was slender and grew more slender as the yacht raced on†. Later in the story when Rainsford was safe on the shore he conceives a theory, â€Å"Where there are pistol shots, there are men. Where there are men, there is food. † promptly after waking up from a deep slumber. The last display of his quick-intellect is during the hunting game against his adversary, General Zaroff. Due to Zaroff’s poor display of fair play, Rainsford was constantly having to think on his feet, â€Å"The softness of the earth had given him and idea. He stepped back from the quicksand a dozen feet or so and like some huge prehistoric beaver he began to dig†. The next trait Sanger Rainsford most expressed was having a keen mind, meaning he does his work efficiently and shows a great mental penetration or acumen. He shows this by being very observant of his surroundings throughout this piece of literature. Also he has very keen senses which is noticeable during the story. Early in the story when Rainsford has fallen over board he hears a â€Å"crisp, staccato† which he is immediately able to recognise as a â€Å" ‘Pistol shot. ’ † proving his keen sense of hearing. Towards the middle of the story as Sanger is trying to navigate his way around the island, he is able to use his perceptive intellect to find a safe path; â€Å"He saw no sign of a trail through the closely knit web of weeds and trees; it was easier to go along the shore†. Lastly Rainsford demonstrates an attribute of having keen eyesight when ? He examined the ground closely and found what he had hoped to findthe print of hunting boots?. The final characteristic best exhibited by Rainsford is being a survivalist/tracker. Being a survivalist means that you know what to do in times of a catastrophic situation. Trackers, have a strong senses and have the knowledge of who or what has made certain tracks. Sanger is able to present this throughout the story by his determination to survive. He also shows this by using his knowledge of weapons and survival to keep himself alive. When Rainsford took up his flight again. It was flight now, a desperate, hopeless flight, that carried him on for some hours. Dusk came, then darkness, and still he pressed on, it shows how determined he is to get out of this game alive. Earlier in the story rainsford notices â€Å" ‘A twenty-two’ † showing his knowledge of weapons. He also shows his survivalist attitude in the arena when he keeps telling himself â€Å" ‘I will not lose my nerve. I will not. ’ †. Though Rainsford is not the only one possessing numerous character traits. The antagonist, General Zaroff, also acquires many interesting characters traits. The first trait that best stands out is his stubbornness, this means ascribing ones acts. Zaroff shows this by making up excuses for his actions making them seem harmless. He presents this by trying to tell Rainsford â€Å" ‘ have I not told you I always mean what I say about hunting? This is really an inspiration. † I drink to a foeman worthy of my steel- -at last. † He tries to convince Rainsford that his actions aren’t as bad as they may seem. Even after Rainsford’s scolding, Zaroff still continues to believe that â€Å"Life is for strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs be, taken by the strong. † Zaroff also tries to reason by explaining how he â€Å"treats these visitors with every consideration. They get plenty of good food and exercise. They get into splendid physical condition. You shall see for yourself tomorrow. †. The next character trait best presented by Zaroff is sophistication. This means that an individual is very posh and elegant. Zaroff demonstrates this throughout the story by the lifestyle he lives, and also the way he presents himself. He implies a classy manner by speaking â€Å"in a cultivated voice†, and by his â€Å" face of an aristocrat†. The general also exhibits this by the lifestyle he lives, for example in his palace he has â€Å"broad marble steps†, and â€Å"a huge, beamed-ceilinged bedroom with a canopied bed big enough for six men†. The last trait Zaroff made noticeable in him was his arrogance. Being arrogant means that you are a little too proud, and a bit cocky. General Zaroff is classified as arrogant because he is too sure of himself when it comes to hunting or most things in general. He shows his arrogant demeanor he explains â€Å"The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my gift†. Zaroff also show his arrogant behaviour in the arena when injured by Rainsford, â€Å"Not many men know how to make a Malay mancatcher. Luckily for me I, too, have hunted in Malacca†. Lastly his arrogance is present when he is trying to rationalize his actions, â€Å"I drink to a foeman worthy of my steel- -at last! †. Although both characters may seem to share many qualities, they also differ in many ways. Although they are both individual characters, Rainsford and Zaroff possess many of the same attributes. The similarities between the two characters would be hunting and having no sympathy for what they hunt. Rainsford does not care about how the Jaguars feeling when being hunted, and Zaroff does not feel that the people he is killing deserve to live because â€Å"The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. †. Although theyre both very skilled and experienced hunters, they also differ in many ways. The differences between the two hunters are the moral lines they have created for themselves. â€Å"Rainsford knew it was wrong and told Zaroff ‘Hunting? Greater guns, General what you speak of is murder. ’ †. General Zaroff hunts humans for the thrill of the hunt. Zaroff does not feel what he does is wrong because the people he kills he thinks he is superior too. Another difference is during the game Zaroff plays the cat, while Rainsford is the mouse. Even though Zaroff did have the upper hand, it is soon learn that although he has a greater advantage, he does not reign champion. In the short story â€Å"The Most Dangerous Game†, by Richard Connell, Rainsford and General Zaroff prove to have the skill and intellect of an experienced hunter. But they differ due to the moral lines each one has set for themselves, where one is willing to kill legally and the other is voluntary to murder and with their decisions brings separation. â€Å"How can one be well when one suffers morally? †