General Zaroff In Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game

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Short Story Character Analysis Essay
Character traits of Zaroff in Richard Connell’s The Most Dangerous Game
Thesis: (arrogance/cockiness, skillful, insanity): The character General Zaroff, the disturbed antagonist from The Most Dangerous Game, portrays prominent traits including arrogance/cockiness, skillful, and insanity.
The complex character seems like just an extreme hunter but figure out a horrifying fact, that he clearly is proud of, and doesn’t regret pursuing. General zaroff redefines hunting when he restocks his island with a new type of life. The character General Zaroff, the disturbed antagonist from The Most Dangerous Game, portrays some prominent traits including an arrogance/cockiness, skillful, and insanity. There is evidence …show more content…

General Zaroff says, “ you see, I read all books on hunting published in English, French, and Russian. I have but one passion in my life, Mr. Rainsford, and that is the hunt.” (pg) General Zaroff’s point is that he has devoted most of his life to hunting by reading and having such a strong passion. Essentially, General Zaroff is insanely passionate about hunting therefore he works very hard to be the best of the best. General Zaroff states, "No animal had a chance with me any more. That is no boast; it is a mathematical certainty. The animal had nothing but his legs and his instinct. Instinct is no match for reason.” (pg) This quote has Zaroff proclaiming that he is way too good for the animals therefore they have zero chance of winning. Zaroff mentions that his reasoning is no match for any animal's instinct. According to General Zaroff, “They were no match at all for a hunter with his wits about him, and a high-powered rifle.” In other word General Zaroff is saying, that there is no match to all of his wits and his rifle. Zaroff shows his intelligence through his unlimited wins and him using his smarts and knowledge in the game of