English Literature - High school 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 8000 words

English Literature - High school 1 - Essay Example However, the latter’s love for hunting has surpassed one’s expectations. General Zaroff’s unique hunting style has made him very selfish, egotistic, and inhumane: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ Every day I hunt, and I never grow bored now, for I have a quarry with which I can match my wits.† The aforementioned internal conflicts are somehow in contrast with how General Zaroff poised himself from the beginning up to the end of the story. He showed no remorse feelings or sign of conscience with what he has been doing. Always the hunter but never the prey, the General’s character is unique of its kind. As a young boy, his selfishness and inhumanness grew day by day as he was able to hone his marksmanship, mercilessly killing all animals that come in harm’s way. By being egotistic (or narcissistic), he never valued life, much less human life. And knowing that he is a gifted hunter, he never showed importance to anyone; thus everyone and everything within his eye s ight is disposable – like his pack of dogs and his loyal servant Ivan. These internal conflicts are put to an end when, with great pride from General Zaroff, he is defeated by Rainsford: â€Å"The general made one of his deepest bows. â€Å"I see,† he said. â€Å"Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford. . . .† Unlike General Zaroff, Sanger Rainsford shows compassion for hunting. He condones cold-blooded murder and value human life. But because he is a prisoner of General Zaroff, Rainsford became fearful, angry, and indignant. He is fearful for his life, knowing that his existence on the island is ticking day in and out. He is also angry with the hunting style of General Zaroff, as mentioned in the story: â€Å"Rainsford did not want to believe what his reason told him was true, but the truth was as evident as the sun that had by now pushed through the morning mists. The gen eral was playing with him! The general was saving him for another day's sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror.† And because he never knew how it was to become the prey, Rainsford is indignant with the General’s treatment of him – being a mouse trapped in an island of terror. Through his quick wit and vast experience in hunting, Rainsford is able to resolve these internal conflicts by defeating General Zaroff: â€Å"He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.† 2. Setting provides much more than just the backdrop for the action of a story. In addition to giving the time and place, setting establishes the atmosphere/mood and influences the characters. Setting also affects readers emotions, for example, a story set in a dank and foul dungeon instantly lowers our sprits. Choose one of the short stories from the list below and analyze how the story's setting contributes to the stor y and affects the reader (be sure to indicate which story you chose). The short story â€Å"Thank You, M'am† by Langston Hughes is set late in the evening, along the dark, dimly-lit streets of an unnamed city. The streets are already quiet, with very few people and automobiles pass by. It seems that the neighborhood has been quite tired from the day’s work. It wants to rest from all the shouting and blowing of horns during its waking hours. And like its setting, the story’s main character, Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones, is also tired, almost dragging herself to walk by the streets. She is carrying her purse like she was