Essay Comparing Most Dangerous Game And The Sniper

Humans have ruled planet Earth, as well as the animal kingdom for millions of years; in our wake we ravaged and have selfishly grasped the planet’s resources without remorse for the dwelling inhabitants. We have as well, turned on ourselves with our diversity and religious influences; this only led to more bloodshed and anguish among ourselves as well as anything and everyone in our path. The short stories “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, and “The Sniper” by Liam O'Flaherty have both shown empirical evidence pertaining my perspective connecting the universal theme; good and evil. Therefore, I strongly believe that humans are primarily evil and contain the most devastating greed on the face of the Earth.

Similar to my thesis, Richard

Connell has made it evident that humans are egotists and indeed evil. He exploits this ideal of human greed and egotism by introducing a character named “General Zaroff”. I can easily assume this character is a metaphor for humanity in itself, the symbolism of a villain.

It’s evident that he’s the anti-hero just by observing his aptitude towards the horrible slaughter he has committed. The text states, “ As soon as I recovered I started for the Amazon to hunt jaguars, for I had heard they were unusually cunning. They weren't." The Cossack sighed. "They were no match at all for a hunter with his wits about him, and a high-powered rifle. I was bitterly disappointed.” (Connell). To further prove his character, he emits a profound discouraged connotation due to the innocent animal’s incompetence. Our main character, Sanger Rainsford has been sought out to be the hero in this story; yet he’s a hunter himself. In a conversation with the two, Rainsford was befuddled when the Cossack state, “ "I wanted the ideal animal to hunt," explained the general. "So I said, `What are the attributes of an ideal quarry?' And the answer was, of course, `It must have courage, cunning, and, above all, it must be able to reason.” (Connell). To brush up any confusion, the General is referring to a human as the animal of optimal quarry. Directly after the previous statement, Rainsford said, “ Thank you, I'm a hunter, not a murderer.”

(Connell). This statement is paradoxical since he kills yet he does not consider it murder. To prove my thesis, Rainsford is egotistic in this line since he does not consider animals as equal to humans. Therefore, making it evident that humans are primarily egotistic. Sequentially, the General’s intolerance of Rainsford’s ideals on what’s humane led him to a hunt with the veteran hunter himself. This also makes it more evident that humans are cruel, even to themselves. Instead of respecting Rainsford’s principles, with heavy audacity he states, “ "As you wish, my friend," he said. "The choice rests entirely with you. But may I not venture to suggest that you will find my idea of sport more diverting than Ivan's.” (Connell). The General, in this statement makes a threat towards Rainsford if he does not partake in his game. The threat was playing with Ivan; a brute Cossack in the Russian Czar. Once again, proving that humans are cruel even to themselves. Without a choice, Rainsford found himself in the situation where he’d have to agree. In the next few hours, he’s provided with provisions and heads out towards the forest. When General Zaroff and Ivan patrol the enveloping island terrain, Ivan was struck by one of Rainsford’s traps. The text states, “ for he saw in the shallow valley that General Zaroff was still on his feet. But Ivan was not. The knife, driven by the recoil of the springing tree. . .” (Connell). This statement directly show’s that Rainsford is slowly becoming the Anti-hero. He murders another man; a thought that he previously dreaded. His character is changing and he became as evil as General Zaroff. On another accord, this proves that humans are cruel especially when it comes to their opponents. In the very last scene, Rainsford became audacious and waits in the General’s dwelling. The text recites, “ "Rainsford!" screamed the general. "How in God's name did you get here?" "Swam," said Rainsford. "I found it quicker than walking through the jungle." The general sucked in his breath and smiled. "I congratulate you," he said. "You have won the game." Rainsford did not smile. "I am still a beast at bay," he said, in a low, hoarse voice. "Get ready, General Zaroff." The general made one of his deepest bows. "I see," he said. "Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford." In the very end, Rainsford a gentleman ends up fighting the General and ends up killing him. This citation supports human greed and cruelty, by empathizing Rainsford’s transition. Rainsford killed two people on the same day, and he was delighted in the very end, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” (Connell). The story has expressed profound human malice towards one another, and greed as Rainsford claims the life and the rich dwelling of the General. Thus, humans are portrayed as primarily evil and gluttonous in “The Most Dangerous Game.”
Inherently, the text “The Sniper” by Liam O’Flaherty contributes and strengthens my perspective on the universal theme of good and evil. O’Flaherty does so by announcing our main character, the Republican Sniper. The Republican sharpshooter, was against British rule; The Anglo-Irish Treaty. Due to this, a civil war broke out against Free-Staters that supported the treaty and Republicans that objectified it. In this civil war we discover the true malevolence of humanity and the self-indulgence that is human nature. Initially, the author portrays the soldier as a young student, thin, ascetic and starved man. However, as the short story progress my ideals are brought into life. For example, “ The Sniper fired again. The woman whirled round and fell with a shriek into the gutter.” (O’Flaherty) . This statement is quite dramatic isn’t it? The Sniper, a young adult committed murder and felt no remorse doing so. This further proves that humans are indeed, primarily evil. On a second occasion, the Sniper was shown far reckless and merciless than it is necessary. The text states, “ The Republican Sniper smiled and lifted his revolver above the edge of the parapet.” (O’Flaherty). This statement is an excellent form of human endorsement of cruelty because the shooter, takes joy in killing and is passionate about doing so. There are no morals to what’s acceptable; strengthening the statement,” Humans are indeed evil and egotists.” To end it here, humans are primarily cruel and egotistic in “The Sniper”.
However, many have argued that humanity is equal to the most non-discriminative and benevolent force on Earth. First off, the very statement is false. When one does enough research the realization of our cruelty is profound and merciless.Throughout history, the devastation of nature and the lives of animals in general have been reaped were a common instance. I question you, the reader; In what way has humanity contributed even the tiniest sliver of aid to mother Earth? The fact is that, as humans we don’t favor questioning ourselves and our true value on this Earth. On the other hand, we do value killing each other for resources and financial gain. Pulling back to the statement, “humanity is equal to the most non-discriminative and benevolent force on Earth.”, this statement is only true in the most biased forms. We’re non-discriminative to all forms of nature and benevolent to only ourselves not the other life forms that dwell our home. Therefore, I can once again firmly confirm the humanity is evil and is riddled with greed.
To render everything down to perspective, the universal theme of “Good and Evil” has led me to the discovery of Human Nature; brimming with evil and egotistic ideals. The significance of our understanding of our evils will only lead to us fixing our evils and preserving this Earth. It’s important that we acknowledge the cruelty felt in this life force and alter it with the presence of purity. In order to live in a peaceful planet we must acknowledge the problems to troubleshoot solutions. The solution starts from you, make a difference.