General Zaroff Character Analysis

Characterization of General Zaroff There are many skills an author must possess in order to effectively convey their ideas into a story. Of these skills I would like to talk about indirect characterization, what techniques can be used to characterize, and how these different methods can add to the mood of a story. The Most Dangerous Game is an example of well executed indirect characterization. General Zaroff stands out to me as a character that was well characterized in this story, it was done in a way that that leaves no vagueness as to who Zaroff is as a person, while not interrupting the flow of the story. The first technique of indirect characterization that I would like to discuss is characterization by what a character says. Much

Actions can speak volumes of a character’s personality and intentions. The Most Dangerous Game is no exception, there are many instances where you can learn a lot about Zaroff through his actions. One of the first displays of his true madness is shown in his reaction to Rainsford’s surprise of the so ultimate prey “‘Hunting? Great Guns, General Zaroff what you speak of is murder.’ The general laughed with entire good nature.”(9). It is slightly horrifying how nonchalantly he reacts to this. It just just how utterly desensitized he is to cold-blooded murder that he genuinely laughs in response to it. He completely disregards the claim without a thought, as is Rainsford was making some sort of extravagant claim. Next, his two-facedness is shown but very subtly when it is described that “A trace of anger was in the general’s black eyes, but it was there for but a second; and he said, in his most pleasant manner,”(10). Here, his inner savage is shortly revealed before he quickly restores his facade. Lastly, another revealing showing of his character is shown when he finds Rainsford in the tree and “very deliberately...blew a smoke ring into the air; then he turned his back on the tree and carelessly walked away,”(15). The sheer sadistic pleasure he gets from tormentingly toying with Rainsford is disgusting. It is very obvious that he enjoys messing with people he finds, to boost his superiority