The Author characterizes General Zaroff as the main antagonist in the story, this is that because exposure to a lifetime of sustention to the hunt General Zaroff developed an increased captivation for the thrill, conquest, challenge, and kill of the sport. The author goes on to explain hoe general zaroff first got started and interested in the sport or game of the hunt. General Zaroff was given his first gun at the age of 5 so he began hunting at a young age, because of this he learned to hunt very well. When he entered the military he then became even more exposed to the thrill of the sport and became fascinated by the new game. “I went into the army it was expected of nobleman’s sons and for a lifetime and for a time commanded a division of Cossack Calvary, but my real interest was always the hunt (page 5)”.
Even after he was out of service he still craved the satisfaction from his time in the military, so he found a new and more exciting way to hunt, by hunting man. With each successful conquest and experience in the hunt his attraction and passion for the game steadily increased. “no animal had a chance with me anymore, that is no boast; it is a mathematical certainty. The animal had nothing but its legs and his instincts. Instinct is no match for reason (page 5)”.
After he had mastered animals, they had become too predictable and boring for him. However, humans gave courage reasoning ability and were very unpredictable. These qualities provide more of a challenge for the general. The author portrays Rainsford as the main protagonist in this story. Rainsford in an excellent hunter who has become famous for the many successful hunts and books he has written. “It is a very great pleasure and honor to welcome Mr.
Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home.”(Page 3).
