The Law of Jungle——Transcend the fear of death

Casey

Mr.Bono

ENG4U

2021.11.3
 1

The Most Dangerous Game is short story writer Richard Connell. Rainsford, an

American hunter, wins the game on a Caribbean island in a life-and-death battle with

Czarist General Zaroff. Contradictions and conflicts among the characters run through

the whole text. Rainsford is a famous American hunter whose hobby is hunting

dangerous large animals around the world. In Rainsford's mind, hunting was the best

thing, He said, "The world is made up of two classes -- The hunters and The huntees."

(The Most Dangerous Game section one P2, By Richard Connell). Rainsford was very

proud of himself as a good hunter, full of confidence. When Rainsford's friend

Whitney retorts that "hunting is fun for the hunter, not for the prey," Raindford

replies, "Don't talk rot, Whitney," Said Rainsford. "You're a big-game hunter, not a

philosopher. Who cares how a Jaguar feels?" (The Most Dangerous Game section one

P2, by Richard Connell) It can be seen from Rainsford's values that other creatures in

nature are his material for fun. He is arrogant and does not think killing is a barbaric

act. It then adds that prey only know fear of death and pain. However, when he

accidentally reached the destination "fishing island" alone, he was involved in general

Zaroff's hunter game. Rainsford, the prey, uses his knowledge from his travels around

the world to pit his wits against General Zaroff. Finally won this lasted three days and

two nights of life and death game. For three days Rainsford fought the brutal and

experienced General Zaroff with his bare hands. His profound experience of despair,

anxiety and fear of death overwhelmed his insistence on anthropocentrism, resulting

in a paradox with his previous belief that "the prey has no feelings". This is a

reflection of Rainsford's own contradictions

 2

The plot of the novel is driven by the clash of ideas between the two main characters.

Famous American hunter Rainsford and Cossack General Zaroff. Zaroff was a

Cossack general in the former Tsarist regime and an expert hunter, He once said,

"God makes some men Poets. Some he makes Kings, Some Beggars. He made me a

hunter. "（The Most Dangerous Game section one P4, by Richard Connell）.

Rainsford is a retired American soldier. Zaroff, by contrast, is not only in his prime,

but "Boat Island" is his home turf. Here, Zaroff is well equipped and well manned -- a

strong deaf butcher and a pack of swift hounds. And Rainsford ended up here alone.

The difference in their values can be seen in the evening conversationAt the

beginning, Zaroff described humans as "animal" and claimed that he had created the

perfect prey, while Rainsford was skeptical, "But no animal can reason," objected

Rainsford.

"My dear fellow," said the general, "There is one that can." "But you can't mean --"

gasped Rainsford. "And why not?" "I can't believe you are serious, General Zaroff.

This is a grisly joke." "Why should I not be serious? I am speaking of hunting." Great

guns, General Zaroff, What You speak of is murder!" (The Most Dangerous Game

Section One P6, by Richard Coneell). After learning that the "animal" in the general's

mouth is human, he refuted his game many times and refused to participate. The

heads of many large animals hang in Zaroff's house. Tired of regular hunting, Zaroff

hopes to hunt a rational, intelligent prey. So he invented a new game of hunting,

hunting humans, and Zaroff created his fair in order to satisfy his own perverted

pursuit of the ultimate hunting experience. Zaroff says "never lose" because whenever
 3

the game is about to win the race, Zaroff sends his hounds in pursuit. Zaroff invited

Rainsford, who admired his hunting skills and thought it would be fun to play games

with him. But Rainsford was very much against it. He thought it was murder. This

reflects the conflict between Zaroff's inhuman moral concept and Rainsford's

humanity. Under Zaroff's pressure, Rainsford plays prey. Rainsford is a brave young

man who remains confident and calm in the face of all kinds of dangerous situations.

With his calm confidence, he finally saved the day and won the victory. Zaroff, on the

other hand, is arrogant and conceited, thinking that he has the right to win, and is

extremely empty and unbalanced psychologically. Zaroff invented the hunter game

itself is against humanity, which doomed his failure.

In conclusion, The novel shows breathtaking scenes to people, but also reveals the

decadent and depraved life of the downtrodden aristocrats who were overthrown.

Taking the law of the jungle to the extreme by playing a dehumanized character like

Zaroff, ignoring rationality, will eventually lead to its demise. Therefore, human

beings' respect for nature, respect for others and compassion for the weak is an

important criterion for the development of human civilization