Question

In “The Most Dangerous Game” and “The Sniper”, Rainsford and the sniper both pursue their prey knowing if they don’t kill them, they will be killed. Compare and contrast their responses to their successful pursuit. How are they different at the end of the story?

Answer 1

In “The Most Dangerous Game” the relationship between Rainsford and General Zaroff is not by blood, they are just getting to know each other. Meanwhile, In “The Sniper” the relationship between the sniper and the dead man is that they are brothers. So, while both men’s intentions were to kill their ‘prey’, the sniper wasn’t aware of who his prey was. In the Sniper it states, “When the sniper reached the laneway on the street level, he felt a sudden curiosity as to the identity of the enemy sniper whom he had killed… Then the sniper turned over the dead body and looked into his brother's face.” Even though the story ended at that, we can predict that the sniper wasn’t proud or happy at finding out who he killed. On the other hand, In “The Most Dangerous Game” Rainsford knows who he killed and is proud of doing so. “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” From this, we can infer that Rainsford is not regretful by killing Zaroff, and is sleeping peacefully knowing Zaroff is gone.