The two characters General Zaroff and Singer Rainsford from “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell are very similar and at the same time different. Starting with similarities, it is shown that they are both hunters of great acumen and ability. It is noted that Rainsford has published books about hunting snow leopards in Tibet, and similarly Zaroff states that his only passion in life is the hunt. Both characters also spent time in the military. While we don’t know much about Rainsford’s service it is mentioned that he had spent time in France, as Zaroff had once done the same when he commanded a Cossack cavalry. They share many more similarities than the three previously stated ones.Another similarity between the two characters is how they view the world. Rainsford believes the world can be divided into two classes, “the hunters and the huntees” and Zaroff believes the weak are meant to be ruled and killed by the strong. The final similarity is their outlook on hunting and killing. Earlier in the book Rainsford states that he doesn’t care how his quarry feels because they are below him. Zaroff states the same claiming that …show more content…
The largest difference between the two men is their degree of attachment to hunting. Zaroff sees it as the only thing worth pursuing and disregards things like morality to ensure that he gets the most out of his hobby. Another difference is their civility. At first glance it may seem that they are both equally cultured and polite however it is later revealed the Zaroff is very different to Rainsfords in this regard. He even goes as far to call himself and other humans inherently savage and fails to see the difference between animals and humans. As you can see they are both different from each other and similar, the most important difference between the two is how Zaroff fails to recognize the difference between man and animal where Rainsford does, and uses the difference to justify