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General Zaroff's Character

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When you think about yourself in day-to-day life, how would you rate your character? Most people I'm sure would agree that they were good people who did good things for others all the time; and if not that, at least they were nice to others when confronted. But what does character really mean? Is being nice to others faces a true representation to how you feel, or rather a facade? In Dwight Lyman Moody's quote, "Character is what you are in the dark", the word "character" is being defined as more important the way you act when nobody is around to applaud you versus being good for the attention or recognition or some other motive. This, however, isn't always clear. I personally agree with the quote's message and this is perfectly represented …show more content…

When Zaroff took in Rainsford that night he washed up on the island, there was no evidence that pointed to him being a bad guy. From his admiration and recognition of Rainsford as an author to touring him around his house and treating him to dinner, everything Zaroff made himself out to be was painting him in a good light. However, the quote refers to how you act in the dark as a true show of character, and this is where Zaroff differs from Rainsford. In "The Most Dangerous Game", Zaroff represents the deceitful side of what this quote means. While he acted very nice and hospitable to Rainsford in his presence, the reveal of Zaroff's favorite activity foreshadowed that come tomorrow, that same attitude might not be there. Surely enough, it wasn't. From the beginning, General Zaroff had every intention of hunting Rainsford for sport, just as he did for any other unlucky person who happened to wash up onshore, but he kept that to himself only. In front of Rainsford's face he was only nice and charming, but in the dark, Zaroff looked at Rainsford as nothing more than he would another animal he could hunt. For this reason, Zaroff was the perfect example of a different, more negative meaning this quote could take

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