Dick Prosser (protagonist) leads a very simple life in a time period where there is much racial tension between blacks and whites. He is a black servant for a white family, the Sheppertons; he makes his home in the …show more content…
It would be impossible for me to tell you how many animals I have killed (p. 6),” Zaroff states. Over time, he apparently lost interest and needed a new challenge. Ironically, Zaroff concerns himself with creating for himself a civil life, yet he hunts human beings. He brings men over to his island to train; Zaroff states “I treat these visitors with every consideration. They get plenty of food and exercise. They get into splendid physical condition” (p.8). When Zaroff feels a man is physically ready, he invites him to go hunting. The individual is given the option to either play this game with Zaroff or be handed over to his servant, Ivan, who apparently “has his own ideas of sport” (p. 8). Zaroff does not view his game as murder. He concludes that “life is for 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?”(p. 7). This statement shows the reader that Zaroff has no regard for human life and his whole world is simply a game to him. Comparatively, both characters became murderers at the end of their lives, which no reader would have expected when first introduced to them. In contrast, each character was lead to commit these horrible acts for completely opposite reasons. Prosser killed for revenge and jealousy, while Zaroff killed for the challenge and his enjoyment.