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Elena Dickens

Ms. Price

English I Honors

31 May 2019

Hunting Humans: An Outlet for Antisocial Disorder?

The Most Dangerous Game​ is a short story that explores the idea of humans hunting one

another for entertainment. Although it may seem inhumane to many, one character in this book

disagrees. In the book, Rainsford, a well known hunter, falls off a boat during a hunting trip and

comes across “Ship Trap Island” (Connell). While stuck on the island, Rainsford meets General

Zaroff, a retired Russian officer of the Csar, who is also a hunter. Later Rainsford finds out that

the general has used this island as a place to hunt humans that shipwreck on the island. The

reader discovers General Zaroff’s hunting game, and the extent to which General Zaroff will go

to fulfill his needs. This begs the reader to ask the question: Why does General Zaroff perceive

this game as justified? Through evidence presented directly throughout the text and conclusions

drawn from the general’s personality, the reader can see that General Zaroff clearly suffers from

antisocial personality disorder.

General Zaroff suffers from antisocial disorder because of his narcissistic personality

towards Rainsford. According to the Mayo Clinic, antisocial disorder is characterized by

“arrogance, a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated” (Mayo Clinic). The reader

can see General Zaroff showcasing this trait at the beginning of the text while talking to

Rainsford after their first meeting. General Zaroff states, “​I have hunted every kind of game in

every land. It would be impossible for me to tell you how many animals I have killed” (Connell).
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This displays General Zaroff’s egotism. After years of hunting, the general feels superior to other

hunters. This idea is shown again during the conversation, when General Zaroff states, “Hunting

tigers ceased to interest me some years ago. I exhausted their possibilities, you see. No thrill left

in tigers, no real danger. I live for danger” (Connell). General Zaroff feels animals are not good

enough for the level of hunting skill he has obtained. The reader learns that this is the reason why

General Zaroff hunts humans instead.​ ​Although General Zaroff is indeed arrogant, he has also

shown other symptoms that prove he has antisocial disorder.

General Zaroff demonstrates another major symptom of antisocial disorder through an

extreme lack of regard for harming others and breaking the law. During General Zaroff’s

conversation with Rainsford, the general told him about the game of hunting humans. Rainsford

was in shock, and responded by calling the game “murder” (Connell). However, the general

simply replied with, “Why should I not be serious? I am speaking of hunting” and “Why should I

not use my gift? If I wish to hunt, why should I not?” (Connell). General Zaroff's reaction reveals

that he does not see anything wrong with murdering other humans. The general feels no

sympathy for breaking the law and harming other people. The Mayo Clinic states, “Antisocial

personality disorder signs and symptoms may include disregard for right and wrong… ​Lack of

empathy for others and lack of remorse about harming others” (Mayo Clinic).​ This trait is visible

throughout the text and is shown multiple times throughout Rainsford’s conversation with the

general and when Rainsford participates in the game. This evidence shows that General Zaroff

demonstrates another major symptom of antisocial disorder.

Despite evidence proving that General Zaroff has antisocial disorder, many people

believe that the general suffers from psychopathy instead. Although antisocial personality
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disorder shares many symptoms with psychopathy, there are clear differences between the two

disorders. Healthy Place states that, “The psychopath is callous, yet charming. He or she will con

and manipulate others with charisma and intimidation and can effectively mimic feelings to

present as "normal" to society” (HealthyPlace). Through this the reader can see that the general

is not a psychopath. General Zaroff shows no signs of manipulation or mimicing feelings

throughout the text. While talking to Rainsford, the general is very straightforward and honest

about his feelings towards hunting humans. This is shown when General Zaroff states, “Life for

the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs be, taken by the strong” (Connell). General

Zaroff feels no empathy towards the victims and is honest towards Rainsford about this. The

general suffers from antisocial disorder because he does not try to hide or lie about his lack of

remorse for hunting humans, he is open about it rather than conservative.

Overall, it is extremely evident that General Zaroff has antisocial personality disorder.

Through recognizing General Zaroff’s narcissism, violence towards not only animals, but

humans, as well as the general’s lack of empathy, one can clearly see this. Antisocial disorder

causes General Zaroff to think differently than most people. He sees the game as not inhumane,

but simply a way to give him a challenge. This is General Zaroff’s way of living for danger.
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Works Cited

“Antisocial Personality Disorder.” ​Mayo Clinic​, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and

Research, 4 Aug. 2017,

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antisocial-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes

/syc-20353928.

“The Most Dangerous Game--Richard Connell (1893-1949).” ​Classic Short Stories,​

www.classicshorts.com/stories/danger.html.

“Psychopath vs. Sociopath: What's the Difference?” ​HealthyPlace,​

www.healthyplace.com/personality-disorders/psychopath/psychopath-vs-sociopath-what-s

-the-difference.