Richard Connell and Ray Bradbury introduce the reader to experienced hunters who share three common character traits in their short stories. After comparing and contrasting the character traits of Rainsford and Zaroff from Connell's short story "The Most Dangerous Game" and Eckels from Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder", we see that the best hunter of the group is Rainsford. Although each character possesses patience, observation, and the ability to handle pressure, Rainsford uses these traits in the wisest and most competent way. Hunters need many different assets, but patience is one of the most important. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay The key to being a good hunter is to be patient. Rainsford demonstrated his patience in many ways during the three days of the most dangerous match. Unlike Rainsford, Eckels shows no patience during his own hunt millions of years ago: "Out of the mist, a hundred yards away, came the Tyrannosaurus rex" (Bradbury 84). Rainsford's patience is the key factor that separates him from Eckels, who becomes frantic during the hunt. Through Ship Trap Island, Zaroff is also able to demonstrate his patience. Eckels, on the contrary, cannot achieve the same feeling of imperturbability, because he constantly asks questions: “Eckels blushes. Where is our tyrannosaurus? (Bradbury 84). Zaroff has the ability to slowly guide a ship to offer more participants in the most dangerous game, unlike Eckels, whose prey rushes at him. Eckels simply has no patience, which is in stark contrast to Zaroff and Rainsford. To demonstrate his dedication and commitment, Zaroff says, “So I bought this island, built this house, and here I hunt. (Connell 21) Eckels' lack of patience is unfit for a task such as the most dangerous game. Rainsford's patience is greater than that of Zaroff and Eckels. Being patient is a useful trait, but without careful observation, any chance of success is dashed. While hunting, being aware of your surroundings and enemies can mean the difference between life and death. Rainsford uses his senses by observing the environment of Ship Trap Island and using it to his advantage. Eckels, however, fails to use the natural environment 60,002,055 years ago: “A noise on the surface of the time machine stiffened them. Eckels sat there, shivering. (Bradbury 86). While Eckels can barely pass through the forest without getting killed, Rainsford has the ability to use his surroundings to harm and kill his enemies. Zaroff can also be observant, but his skills are not as honed as Rainsford's. Even if he is no match for Rainsford, Zaroff is still more observant than Eckels, who is constantly corrected by hunting leaders: “Stay on the path. Stay on the path! (Bradbury 84). Zaroff walks the path looking for scraps of information, while Eckels barely manages to follow them. Eckels has no observation skills and has nearly met death on several occasions. Rainsford is just the opposite, using many parts of nature to his advantage: "...the dead tree, delicately adjusted to rest on the cut down living tree, crashed down and struck the general with one blow." eye…” (Connell 27). Eckel's lack of compliance is the opposite of Rainsford's, putting his life in danger. While Rainsford uses many aspects of the jungle to put himself in the lead, Zaroff and Eckels fall behind...