The Most Dangerous Game Character Analysis Essay

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Seasons Change; People Kill “Hunting? Good God, General Zarroff, what you speak of is murder” (Connell 15). Irony lurks in this quotation and explodes throughout the entire work of “The Most Dangerous Game.” The two most essential characters’ oppositions collide, blend, and finally reverse each other. Initially, Rainsford is the protagonist, but at conclusion of the story, he has become the villain. Rather than ending the “game” as the victorious hunter as Zaroff would have liked, the murderer becomes the hunted, Rainsford’s victim. Although a wise and brave man, Rainsford falls right into the trap the general has set up for him. The two men prove to be equal in a few aspects: intelligence, strategy, size, skill, and experience, while their breach lies in question of morality. What is murder? Zaroff and Rainsford are on the same page when it comes to hunting animals; they do not view hunting as morally wrong. However, they hold extremely opposite opinions on that of hunting man. Rainsford becomes appalled by General Zaroff when he…show more content…
The first time Zaroff easily locates Rainsford, he simply walks away, sending the message that the general is much more skilled that Rainsford predicted (20). Rather than frightening Rainsford, it pushed him into determination for survival and, ultimately, triumphs. He is successful in killing off the source of Zaroff’s cockiness, Ivan and the dogs, in two of his own traps (22). The biggest deception of all took place when Rainsford “jumped” off the cliff (23); it was surprising that the general bought it. Rather than see right through this trick, Zaroff heads to his home (23). Since this will eventually lead to his death (23), Zaroff chose to give up on the most challenging hunt of his lifetime. Why did Rainsford slay Zaroff? The possibilities are endless, but what is

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