Literary Analysis Rough Draft Title: The War On Pessimism

Literary Analysis Rough Draft
Title: The war on Pessimism
Put half a glass of water in front of a man and ask: is it half full
or half empty? In a nutshell The Most Dangerous Game consists
of two hunter and young American democrat, Rainsford and Zaroff
and old Russian Aristocrat. Both have different morals and beliefs
but under the sheet one sees the cup half full and one sees it half
empty. Rainsford an easy going man cherishes life and has a
positive outlook easily demonstrating that he symbolises optimism.
Zaroff a cruel, tough man who has a negative mindset shows that he
symbolises pessimism. Zaroff without a regret in his mind begins to
hunt Rainsford, presenting an excellent example of the hunter
becoming the hunted. This defogs the genuine meaning of the story.
Rainsford symbolizes optimism contrary to Zaroff who symbolises
pessimism; thus, further demonstrating that in the story the most
dangerous game by Richard Connell, optimism overcomes
pessimism.
Rainsfords and Zaroffs characteristics and background
contribute to the idea that Rainsford symbolizes optimism and
Zaroff symbolizes pessimism. Rainsford is a young American who
loves to hunt. He has a very defined character. His traits are strong
and reinforced through his action. Early in the story Rainsford
enters Zaroff's mansion. Rainsford acts genuine but when Zaroff
tells him the dirty truth he is horrified and as a result it shows that
Rainsford is a human. His characteristics are also defined by his
background. Immediately after hearing that he is an American he is
characterized into a huge group. In conversation he shows an
optimistic and egalitarian nature.(critical essay) His dialogue
throughout the story also adds definition to his character. His
specific character traits and background explain why he symbolizes
optimism. Zaroff also has very strong and defined characteristics.
He is a rude old Russian. Saying that he is from Russia puts him in
the serious group and gives him more traits. He has blood in his
hand but he can care less. He wants everything for himself and does
not care about the effect. The ruthless, cynical, and pessimistic
General Zaroff. (critical essay) Zaroff is evil and has a very devilish
mindset. His background and characteristics, like Rainsford explains
why he symbolises pessimism.
In addition Rainsfords beliefs and Zaroffs beliefs, further
represent the reasons why Rainsford symbolizes optimism and

Zaroff symbolizes pessimism. What a person believes in is a very
important aspect to their personality and worldview. If someone
such as Zaroff believes in death than they will have a dark
personality and have a pessimistic outlook. Someone such as
Rainsford believes in freedom and equality have a happy and
enthusiastic personality but has an optimistic view on life. Zaroff's
deep and dark beliefs make him have a pessimistic attitude.
Rainsfords light and happy way of life gives him the title of
optimist. "Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if
needs be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here
to give the strong pleasure. I am strong. Why should I not use my
gift? If I wish to hunt, why should I not? I hunt the scum of the
earth: sailors from tramp ships--lassars, blacks, Chinese, whites,
mongrels--a thoroughbred horse or hound is worth more than a
score of them." This is said by Zaroff and this shows that he takes
life and is not ashamed of his actions. He embraces it. In discussion
Rainsford demonstrates an idealistic and libertarian nature. This
shows how he is able to show his beliefs in his language and shows
what a strong impact they have on his character development.
These ideas that each character has contributed to the overall idea
that Rainsford symbolises optimism and Zaroff symbolises
pessimism.
Rainsford and Zaroff s relationships with other strongly
imprints another reason why Rainsford represents optimism and
Zaroff represents pessimism. In the beginning of the story we see
Rainsford speaking to Whitney his associate. They are only seen
together for a small amount of time but in the time we see him they
have a respectful conversation. They both speak to each other with
utmost respect. No one was rude and they had a professional or
formal tone to their voice. He is not negative and speaks with pride.
Zaroff is seen with his assistant Ivan. Zaroff commands him to do
whatever he want him to do. With no respect he orders him around
to do his dirty work. He believes everyone is laced on this earth for
his pleasure so he doesn't believe that he needs to be kind to
anyone. Rainsfords nice voice and formality makes him represents
optimism. Zaroff's rude, informal, and disrespectful voice makes him
represent pessimism. In the most Dangerous Game it states ,The man's
only answer was to raise with his thumb the hammer of his revolver. Then
Rainsford saw the man's free hand go to his forehead in a military salute,
and he saw him click his heels together and stand at attention. Another
man was coming down the broad marble steps, an erect, slender man in
evening clothes. He advanced to Rainsford and held out his hand. This
shows that Zaroff makes Ivan salute him like he is his commander. This is
not what two normal people do. In the middle of the hunt Zaroff takes Ivan
out and Ivan gets killed by one of Rainsfords trap.He used Ivan as a
beanbag and did not care. He left his friend lying died and his next
thought was how to replace him. His pessimistic outlook allowed him to do
this. Rainsfords cherishes his time with Whitney and is respectful tone is
similar to the characteristics of an optimist.
Finally, the conflict and resolution relates to how optimism and
pessimism react with each other. The conflict of the story is Zaroff wants
to kill Rainsford. This predator and prey can be shown in many tv shows
and movies such as Tom and Jerry. Zaroff is like the tyrant man in Beasts
of England. Rainsford, the animals, want to overthrow him but they need
to overcome obstacles to get their. Soon or late the day is coming,Tyrant
Man shall be o'erthrown,And the fruitful fields of England Shall be trod by
beasts alone. They want to overthrow him but they face some challenges
Optimism is always attacked by pessimism but optimism is able to
overcome this. The resolution of the story is Rainsford killing Zaroff.
Optimism usually beat pessimism at the end because of the different ways
of thinking. This also assists in the telling that Zaroff represents
pessimism and Rainsfords represents optimism.
All in all, Rainsford symbolizes optimism contrary to Zaroff

who symbolises pessimism; thus, further demonstrating that in the
story the Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell, optimism
overcomes pessimism. Rainsfords and Zaroff's beliefs and
backgrounds affect them very much and this is the same as
optimism and pessimism does. Their interaction with others in their
life have a great impact and through the story their interaction and
conflict show how optimism and pessimism fight. At the end
Rainsfords triumph as does optimism in many situations. This story
is a perfect example of how much your worldview and how you think
can affect your actions.

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Literary Analysis Rough Draft

Title: The war on Pessimism

represent the reasons why Rainsford symbolizes optimism and

All in all, Rainsford symbolizes optimism contrary to Zaroff

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