There are many pieces of literature that are different from one another yet, each contains some of the same language and qualities. This is the case with Richard Connell's "The Most Dangerous Game," Ernest Hemingway's "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber," and Thomas Wolfe's "The Child by Tiger." Each piece is different from the next but, each share a few common themes such as irony and a personality change for the characters. .
In "The Most Dangerous Game," a worldly, experienced hunter (Mr. Rainsford) winds up on another hunter's island and becomes the hunted. This is ironic because he is usually the hunter. Being as the other hunter, General Zaroff is as experienced as he is; all of his tricks are easily discovered and leave Mr. Rainsford fighting for his life. He was previously cynical and brushed off any comments other people made about the animals feelings or thoughts. However, the personality change comes when he is being hunted and starts to realize true fear for his life like his previously hunted had felt. He then knew what it felt like to run and hide for his life. .
"The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber" follows a hunter, and a husband and wife on a hunting excursion. While attempting to hunt a Lion, Mr. Macomber cowers and runs from the Lion, fearing for his life and living the hunter to kill his prey. On the next day's outing, after successfully hunting some buffalo, Mr. Macomber has a complete personality change when he feels a sudden rush of not fearing anything anymore. This is the first time in his life that he feels no fear. Ironically, however, while being braver then the others and attempting to get a second shot at one of the buffalo, he is shot by his wife. The Ironic part about this is the fact that his wife was the one person he never feared. .
Wolfe's "The Child by Tiger," however, was slightly different from both of the previous works. While it holds the same themes about irony and character personality changes, it is not about hunting or fear.