General Zaroff

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General Zaroff
“Indifference to me is the epitome of all evil.” (Elie Wiesel). The short story “The Most Dangerous Games” by Richard Connell relays a shocking exposé of a man who believes that regardless of what is right or wrong, that this should not matter as long as it meets his needs. General Zaroff is an expatriate Russian Cossack who now lives on an island with his henchman and hounds. He is the antagonist or the adversary of Rainsford and remains static throughout the short story always remaining as he did in the beginning. However, it does not take the reader long to discover that Zaroff portrays himself as a “man of the world”, “psychopath” and “egotist”. As the reader proceeds through the short story ‘the most dangerous game’ the idea of General Zaroff being a sophisticated, intelligent, cultured ,well educated, and civilized man quickly changes as his true self is revealed.
Zaroff gives the appearance that he is well-educated, sophisticated and distinguished. He is a cultured man. He comes from great prosperity, sumptuous living and strong military spirit, all of this makes Zaroff think he is entitled and therefore should not be denied what he wishes in life. In the short story, one of the ways that Zaroff demonstrates these characteristics is by how he lives. He has a beautiful and well decorated Chateau on a remote island. The way in which he speaks indicates a certain level of intelligence. “You’ll find the game worth playing, the general said enthusiastically. Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess!”. The General views his game as a contest of intelligence, ability, knowledge, skill and experience just like those that play the game of chess....

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...he general, “If you are within sound of my voice, as I suppose you are, let me congratulate you. Not many men know how to make a Malay man-catcher. You are proving interesting, Mr. Rainsford.” Throughout the book General Zaroff makes no attempt to demonstrate humility, selflessness or even kindness towards others unless it benefits himself.
Richard Connell, the author, does an incredible job of portraying the insane, however experienced hunter, General Zaroff as a man who hunts man for fun. The portrayal of a sophisticated, educated, cultured man with psychopathic tendencies was evident in many different instances. Interesting enough, I discovered that paintballing was actually inspired in part by the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Most_Dangerous_Game), which leaves us to think “Man is the cruelest animal.” (Friedrich Nietzsche).

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