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Irony In Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game

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“No matter how educated, talented, rich, or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all.” (Unknown). It is quite ironic how people who are educated and wealthy can lack basic morals and respect for fellow humans. The novel, “The Most Dangerous Game”, an adventure fiction piece by Richard Connell, reveals ironic relationships such as General Zaroff who acts like a gentleman but hunts people for sport. General Zaroff is a perfect example of irony as he is a sociopath while still upholding a demeanor of civility, wealth, and education. This irony is seen in the way Zaroff talks, his mansion, and his actions. Zaroff talks about civility and his riches while at the same time discussing how he is above everyone stating, “The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. …show more content…
Zaroff claims to “preserve the amenitities of civilization” (45) on the island while keeping so called pupils locked in the cellar waiting for their turn to be hunted. Zaroff’s castle-like mansion also reveals irony. Zaroff is so wealthy that in his dining room “the table appointments were of the finest-the linen, the crystal, the silver, the china” (45) but on the other hand his library contains his “new collection of heads” (51) meaning he keeps souvenirs from every human kill. It is also ironic how Zaroff needs to “hunt more dangerous game” (47) but was severely injured by a buffalo. Zaroff claims to “now have a quarry with which I can match my wits” (49) but fractured his skull fighting a Cape buffalo. Irony is also displayed by Zaroff bragging about his hunting skills while at the same time having many advantages over his

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