The author satirizes society’s notions of what makes a person civilized through Zaroff’s comparing his prison to a school. By referring to his captives as "pupils" and suggesting that their treatment is civilized because they receive food and exercise, Zaroff presents a distorted view of morality and civility. This comparison highlights the absurdity of his actions, as he believes that providing a basic standard of living somehow absolves him of the barbarity of hunting humans for sport. This use of irony illustrates the gap between his self-perception as a civilized individual and the horrific reality of his actions, effectively critiquing the notion that civilization can be measured by superficial traits.
The general chuckled. "They indicate a channel," he said, "where there's none: giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a sea monster with wide-open jaws. They can crush a ship as easily as I crush this nut." He dropped a walnut on the hardwood floor and brought his heel grinding down on it. "Oh, yes," he said, casually, as if in answer to a question. "I have electricity. We try to be civilized here." "Civilized? And you shoot down men?" A trace of anger was in the general's black eyes, but it was there for but a second, and he said, in his most pleasant manner: "Dear me, what a righteous young man you are! I assure you I do not do the thing you suggest. That would be barbarous. I treat these visitors with every consideration. They get plenty of good food and exercise. They get into splendid physical condition. You shall see for yourself tomorrow." "What do you mean?" "We'll visit my training school," smiled the general. "It's in the cellar. I have about a dozen pupils down there now. They're from the Spanish bark Sanlûcar that had the bad luck to go on the rocks cut there. A very inferior lot, regret to say. Poor specimens and more accustomed to the deck than to the jungle." Question Use the paragraphs to answer the question. How does the author use satire to develop meaning in these paragraphs? (1 point) Responses The author uses Zaroff’s description of the Spanish sailors to satirize overly simplistic stereotypes. The author uses Zaroff’s description of the Spanish sailors to satirize overly simplistic stereotypes. The author satirizes society’s notions of what makes a person civilized through Zaroff’s comparing his prison to a school. The author satirizes society’s notions of what makes a person civilized through Zaroff’s comparing his prison to a school. The author uses Rainsford’s questions to satirize ideas about what constitutes polite society. The author uses Rainsford’s questions to satirize ideas about what constitutes polite society. The author uses the narrator’s descriptions of both men during the conversation to satirize the idea that hunting is a game.
1 answer
1 answer