In the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, General Zaroff demonstrates an attitude of extreme self-entitlement and an aggressively competitive nature to maintain dominance on Ship-Trap Island. General Zaroff, from the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” most certainly demonstrates the character of a typical gothic villain. Firstly, General Zaroff has a very attractive and compelling presence which masks his evil nature. Secondly, General Zaroff evokes a level of terror never experienced before by the victim. Finally, General Zaroff is a victimizer and his evil powers are immense. Firstly, General Zaroff has a very attractive and compelling presence which masks his evil nature. After Rainsford knocks on the door and
…show more content…
The General makes Rainsford feel that he likes him because Zaroff has read his books about hunting, but really he has been studying Rainsford from these books and he knows Rainsford will put up a good fight in the hunt. The General wants Rainsford to feel very welcome and stay because the general is very excited to hunt against someone who has hunting knowledge. General Zaroff realizes that Rainsford fell off his yacht and had to swim to shore which made him very cold. The general offers Rainsford some dry clothes to make him feel comfortable. Rainsford is touring around the house and he could not believe how big the house was. The dining room where they ate dinner was oak-paneled with high ceilings and the heads of tigers, lions, elephants, moose and bears were mounted on the walls. What stood out to Rainsford was that the General has the finest table appointments which included linen, crystal, silver and china. Zaroff and Rainsford had champagne with borsch and filet mignon while Rainsford thought, “He was finding the general a most thoughtful and affable host, a true cosmopolite” (Connell 5). This statement demonstrates that the general has pretty much caught Rainsford in his trap. He has put the idea in Rainsford’s mind that general Zaroff is a very nice and respectful man that cares for Rainsford. Without a doubt, General Zaroff’s compelling presence and welcoming personality hides his evilness from
The General makes Rainsford feel that he likes him because Zaroff has read his books about hunting, but really he has been studying Rainsford from these books and he knows Rainsford will put up a good fight in the hunt. The General wants Rainsford to feel very welcome and stay because the general is very excited to hunt against someone who has hunting knowledge. General Zaroff realizes that Rainsford fell off his yacht and had to swim to shore which made him very cold. The general offers Rainsford some dry clothes to make him feel comfortable. Rainsford is touring around the house and he could not believe how big the house was. The dining room where they ate dinner was oak-paneled with high ceilings and the heads of tigers, lions, elephants, moose and bears were mounted on the walls. What stood out to Rainsford was that the General has the finest table appointments which included linen, crystal, silver and china. Zaroff and Rainsford had champagne with borsch and filet mignon while Rainsford thought, “He was finding the general a most thoughtful and affable host, a true cosmopolite” (Connell 5). This statement demonstrates that the general has pretty much caught Rainsford in his trap. He has put the idea in Rainsford’s mind that general Zaroff is a very nice and respectful man that cares for Rainsford. Without a doubt, General Zaroff’s compelling presence and welcoming personality hides his evilness from