The Most Dangerous Game Pride Theme

Webster’s Dictionary states that pride is “The quality or state of being proud, or a reasonable self-esteem”. However, pride can mean lots of other different things like not wanting anyone to help you, being too egotistical to recognize that you need help, or having pride in a big school assignment you just turned in. The stories The Most Dangerous Game, The Gift of the Magi, and Marigolds, all show a different type of pride. Marigolds is a short story about a family that lives in a shanty town during the great depression. The main character, Lizabeth, is frustrated and angry about her family's financial problems. She then takes out her anger on a bed of marigolds that belonged to an old lady named Miss Lottie. The first point of pride in

He soon finds shelter and meets a Russian hunter named General Zaroff. Zaroff arrogantly explains to Rainsford on how hunting has bored him, as he has never lost a fight against an animal. He then explains he hunts humans, as they can reason. Zaroff challenges Rainsford to a hunting battle, and when he loses, he realizes that he’s not the best hunter. The first point of pride was when Zaroff is boasting about how he’s never lost a fight to an animal before. “Simply this: hunting had ceased to be what you call 'a sporting proposition.’ It had become too easy. I always got my quarry. Always. There is no greater bore than perfection. …’ No animal had a chance with me anymore. That is no boast; it is a mathematical certainty. The animal had nothing but its legs and its instinct. Instinct is no match for reason.’” (The Most Dangerous Game, pg 69, Line 302-304, 306-309) These quotes show that General Zaroff thinks he’s the best hunter since he has never lost to any animal. Another point of pride in The Most Dangerous Game is when Rainsford won the battle. “The general sucked in his breath and smiled. ‘I congratulate you,’ he said. ‘You have won the game.’ Rainsford did not smile. ‘I am still a beast at bay,’ he said, in a low, hoarse voice. ‘Get ready, General Zaroff.’ The general made one of his deepest bows.” (The Most Dangerous Game, Pg 80, Line 703-707) This quote shows that Rainsford had pride once he proved Zaroff