Comparison and Contrast Between "The Most Dangerous Game" and "The Child by Tiger"
As individuals who long to have relationships with others, it is vital to consider the underlying character and moral compass that each possess. As evidenced in “The Child by Tiger” and “The Most Dangerous Game,” one realizes the ability for change or controversy of any individuals nature on the service. In Thomas Wolfe’s “The Child by Tiger” and Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game,” the characters Dick Prosser and General Zaroff differ; however, they both lead lives characterized by contradiction and corruption.
Dick Prosser (protagonist) leads a very simple life in a time period where there is much racial tension between blacks and whites. He is a black servant for a white family, the Sheppertons; he makes his home in the basement of their house. Wolfe states, “His little whitewashed basement room was as spotless as a barracks room. The bare board floor was always cleanly swept, a plain bare table and a plain straight chair were stationed exactly in the center of the room (p. 1).” Prosser does not have many possessions; however, he lives with a family who cares for him. All the children love Prosser as he plays with them and because he is so great with children, this gives the reader the belief that Prosser is gentle and loving; however, his actions later in his life are completely opposite to the character he first portrays.
Unlike Prosser, General Zaroff (antagonist) seems to be living in a fantasy land in his mind. He makes his home in a mansion on ‘Ship Trap’ island which he purchased for himself. Zaroff leads a very civilized life, which on the surface, seems to be completely normal. He welcomes Rainsford (protagonist) with open arms into his home as he says, “It is a very great pleasure and honor to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home” (p. 4). Zaroff has many possessions and seems to be of the upper class. He intentionally obtains the finest of everything in order to give the impression that he leads a
Dick Prosser (protagonist) leads a very simple life in a time period where there is much racial tension between blacks and whites. He is a black servant for a white family, the Sheppertons; he makes his home in the basement of their house. Wolfe states, “His little whitewashed basement room was as spotless as a barracks room. The bare board floor was always cleanly swept, a plain bare table and a plain straight chair were stationed exactly in the center of the room (p. 1).” Prosser does not have many possessions; however, he lives with a family who cares for him. All the children love Prosser as he plays with them and because he is so great with children, this gives the reader the belief that Prosser is gentle and loving; however, his actions later in his life are completely opposite to the character he first portrays.
Unlike Prosser, General Zaroff (antagonist) seems to be living in a fantasy land in his mind. He makes his home in a mansion on ‘Ship Trap’ island which he purchased for himself. Zaroff leads a very civilized life, which on the surface, seems to be completely normal. He welcomes Rainsford (protagonist) with open arms into his home as he says, “It is a very great pleasure and honor to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home” (p. 4). Zaroff has many possessions and seems to be of the upper class. He intentionally obtains the finest of everything in order to give the impression that he leads a
Cited: Connell, Richard. “The Most Dangerous Game.” http://media.pearsoncmg.com/pcp /pcp_97542_lit_lu/ebook/media/connell_dangerous.swf. N.p. 2010. Web. March 31, 2010. Wolfe, Thomas. “The Child by Tiger.” http://media.pearsoncmg.com/pcp /pcp_97542_lit_lu/ebook/media/wolfe_tiger.swf. N.p. 2010. Web. March 31, 2010.