Zaroff

Dominique Hagen

November 11th 2011

Mrs. Paidas

Although General Zaroff appears civilized, he is a ruthless savage. In the first place,

Zaroff is a man of high intelligence. When Sanger Rainsford, his unsepecting victim,

questions how aroff knows him, Zaroff replies, " I read all books on hunting published in

English, French, and Russian." It takes a man of much intelligence to be able to speak and

read three languages fluently. Also, Zaroff is a very hospitable man. Rainsford swims to Ship

Trap Island, there he meets Zaroff. Zaroff provids him with the basic nessecities, and then

some. Rainsford was, "...finding the general a most affable host..." Rainsfordm like most

people sees the Gneral as, " a true cosmopolite." General Zaroff showa the public a man of

great civility, however, underneath his trained exterior he has many monstrous qualities. To

start, the General is very manipulative. When Zaroff finds Rainsford hiding, he toys with his

prey. Connell writes, "...the Generals eyes moved inch by inch up the tree... a smile spread

across his brown face... he turned hi sback to the tree and walked away carelessly." instead

of killing Rainsford he lets him live to make his "hunt" more interesting. Zaroff uses the

manipulation to sharpen his skills as a murderer. He kills for sport. When Zaroff explains the

game to Rainsford, the General tries to ease the situation by saying "Why should i not be

serious? I am speaking of hunting." Rainsford, disgusted by Zaroff comment, replies, "Good

God General what you speak of is murder." The General has no moral compas. To him

hunting humans is a perfectly acceptable way to cure ennui. Finally, General Zaroff is a

mutilator. After killing his victims he beheads them. Zaroff explains the concept of the game

to Rainsford and then offers to show him his special collection of heads, secretly located in

the library. In conclusion, all people wear masks to cover the darkness in side them;...