Casey Watkins

Ms. Price

Honors English I

May 30, 2018

Is It Just A Game?

General Zaroff from the book “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell shows

many problematic signs that prove he has OCD. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety

disorder in which people have recurring unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations. Throughout the

book, the character shows symptomtoms such as agitation, obsessive actions, ritualistic behavior,

and social isolation. OCD is common around the world and would not be abnormal if he was to

be affected by it as well. Based off of the way that he acts one could state that he suffers from

this disorder, especially with his immense problem of obsessing over the game. General Zaroff

should be diagnosed with OCD based off of his speech, actions and obsessions.

General Zaroff acts obsessive when he talks about how often he plays the hunting game

with humans instead of with animals like average people. In the text Zaroff says “ I give him a

supply of food and an excellent hunting knife. I give him three hours' start. I am to follow, armed

only with a pistol of the smallest caliber and range. If my quarry eludes me for three whole days,

he wins the game. If I find him "--the general smiled--" he loses"(Connel 16.) General Zaroff

repetitively plays the hunting game because he finds doing this to be a source of entertainment. It

is as though the game is treated as his main priority and participating in this fascinates him. He is

so captured by the game that he bases his mindset off the game. Overall in the eyes of the

General he sees that partaking in this “game” to be completely normal and harmless but in
actuality he is a murderer.

General Zaroff also becomes agitated very quickly whenever Rainsford says something

that bothers him. The texts states “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, "Dear me, what a righteous

young man you are! I assure you I do not do the thing you suggest. That would be barbarous. I

treat these visitors with every consideration. They get plenty of good food and exercise. They get

into splendid physical condition. You shall see for yourself tomorrow”(Connel 14.) General

zaroff is easily angered when Rainsford is criticizing him for he game that he plays continuously

and obsessively. He is immensely short tempered but is able to calm himself down enough so

that he does not have an outburst. Agitation is one of the most common symptoms of OCD and it

seems to affect Zaroff often, which is why anyone can argue that he suffers from the disorder.

Even though OCD is supported the most in the text, others still say that the General is

classified for PTSD. Also known as Post Traumatic stress Disorder, PTSD could also be seen as

a fitting diagnosis because some people think that he acquired this disorder from him many years

in the war and the urge to kill is programmed into his brain. In the quoteThis point could also be

argued because General Zaroff is also socially isolated seeing that he lives on an island with a

man who can not speak.

Therefore, General Zaroff fits the standards of the definition of obsessive compulsive

disorder. Zaroff is showing the beginning symptoms of OCD and if left untreated things could

gradually become worse and worse. About 1 in 40 adults are affected by OCD in the US and

zaroff could be easily treated with therapy and medication if his symptoms mess with his

everyday life. Anyone can see that in the text, “The Most Dangerous Game”, The General could

a inferred as having ODC. this can be diagnosed through his speech, actions, and obsessions. The
fight against obsessive disorder are very difficult to work against and General Zaroff constantly

struggles with the symptoms. The agitation, obsessions, and social isolation are all factors which

invoke themselves on his life everyday and are the symptoms that prove why Zaroff does indeed

suffer from OCD.

WORKS CITED

Connell , Richard.”The Most Dangerous Game.” Fiction: The Eserver collection. 1994-2010.

Web. 5 sept. 2010

Gorhol, John M. “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).” Psych Central, 11 May 2018,

psychcentral.com/disorders/ocd/.
“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).” Psych Central, 11 May 2018,

psychcentral.com/disorders/ocd/.