Compare And Contrast Rainsford And Eckels
Mary Zhang
Ms. Turnquist
English 9 Honors
10 November 2015
Rainsford and Eckels: Quest Perceptions Determine Their Fate Once the hunter becomes the hunted, everything is put into a new perspective. Rainsford from the fictitious short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell and Eckels from the science fiction “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury are connected in an almost similar fashion that shows how people can react differently to a problem. Even though their stories are completely different, they are both on a quest to ultimately find self-knowledge. Rainsford and Eckels would react differently under difficult situations because of their different attitudes while dealing with the problem, their ability to perceive their surroundings, …show more content…
In this case, Rainsford had a more cunning and direct approach to his problem, even though he was mostly nervous and somewhat fearful. As Rainsford hid from Zaroff as best as he can, he also laid traps down for the Cossack. Even though most of his traps did not manage to get Zaroff, Rainsford did not give up and flee. Eckels was calm at the start of the quest, but became increasingly nervous as he thought about the dangers that were to come. He let his nervous personality take over, and when it was too much, he decided to give up. Eckels also let his selfishness get to him, which made his hunting companions deal with the Tyrannosaurus Rex while Eckels went back to the time machine. While both hunters were indeed frightened and nervous, the main difference was Rainsford’s ability to suppress his fear and let his instinct guide him, which he demonstrated by telling himself, “I must keep my nerve. I must keep my nerve,” (165). That showed that Rainsford had an actual way of telling himself to control his personality and his emotions at a critical moment. Eckels tried suppressing the same fears to a certain extent, but gave up and fled from the problem. All these mixed emotions and traits ultimately determine how well their quest goes and where they will end
Ms. Turnquist
English 9 Honors
10 November 2015
Rainsford and Eckels: Quest Perceptions Determine Their Fate Once the hunter becomes the hunted, everything is put into a new perspective. Rainsford from the fictitious short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell and Eckels from the science fiction “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury are connected in an almost similar fashion that shows how people can react differently to a problem. Even though their stories are completely different, they are both on a quest to ultimately find self-knowledge. Rainsford and Eckels would react differently under difficult situations because of their different attitudes while dealing with the problem, their ability to perceive their surroundings, …show more content…
In this case, Rainsford had a more cunning and direct approach to his problem, even though he was mostly nervous and somewhat fearful. As Rainsford hid from Zaroff as best as he can, he also laid traps down for the Cossack. Even though most of his traps did not manage to get Zaroff, Rainsford did not give up and flee. Eckels was calm at the start of the quest, but became increasingly nervous as he thought about the dangers that were to come. He let his nervous personality take over, and when it was too much, he decided to give up. Eckels also let his selfishness get to him, which made his hunting companions deal with the Tyrannosaurus Rex while Eckels went back to the time machine. While both hunters were indeed frightened and nervous, the main difference was Rainsford’s ability to suppress his fear and let his instinct guide him, which he demonstrated by telling himself, “I must keep my nerve. I must keep my nerve,” (165). That showed that Rainsford had an actual way of telling himself to control his personality and his emotions at a critical moment. Eckels tried suppressing the same fears to a certain extent, but gave up and fled from the problem. All these mixed emotions and traits ultimately determine how well their quest goes and where they will end