According to “Dictionary.com” the definition of a psychopath is “a person suffering from chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behavior.” In the short story The Most Dangerous Game by: Richard Connell, General Zaroff demonstrates these psychopathic characteristics. Throughout the text there are examples that provide proof that Zaroff is a psychopath. In the beginning of the story we are introduced to two friends, Whitney and Rainsford, on a Yacht bound for Rio. Both are big game hunters headed to a hunting trip in the Amazon River. Whitney points out an Island in the distance known for its forbidding reputation. But when Rainsford falls into the sea trying to catch his pipe, his life is instantly changed. He hears three gunshots and follows them to shore. Rainsford reaches the rocky shore and falls into a “very deep sleep”, as Connell explained. The next morning he woke up and went to search for food. He comes across a house hoping the owner has food to give him.
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He says, “Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess! And the stake is not without value, eh?” (Connell 6). Zaroff challenges Rainsford to a game where they try to kill each other. If Rainsford kills Zaroff or remains alive after 3 days he is allowed to leave the island. In my opinion this is an example of abnormal and violent social behavior. No one should think it would be a “game” to have two people try to kill each other for fun. Additionally, Zaroff has a training school. “We’ll visit my training school. It’s in the cellar. I have about a dozen pupils down there now.” (Connell 6). He has a cellar full of students getting them ready to fight him in his “game” and eventually kill them. I consider this to be psychopathic. There is no rational reason to do something like this. No logical person would prepare and train children or adults to kill each other in a
He says, “Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess! And the stake is not without value, eh?” (Connell 6). Zaroff challenges Rainsford to a game where they try to kill each other. If Rainsford kills Zaroff or remains alive after 3 days he is allowed to leave the island. In my opinion this is an example of abnormal and violent social behavior. No one should think it would be a “game” to have two people try to kill each other for fun. Additionally, Zaroff has a training school. “We’ll visit my training school. It’s in the cellar. I have about a dozen pupils down there now.” (Connell 6). He has a cellar full of students getting them ready to fight him in his “game” and eventually kill them. I consider this to be psychopathic. There is no rational reason to do something like this. No logical person would prepare and train children or adults to kill each other in a