There are many examples of Rainsford showing physical endurance. For instance, Rainsford falls off of a boat and must swim to shore. Connell writes, “Ten minutes of determined effort brought another sound to his ears—the most welcome he …show more content…
Rainsford also showed exceptional wit. Connell makes this point over and over again. He writes, “He saw that straight flight was futile; inevitably it would bring him face to face with the sea,” and that ‘“I'll give him a trail to follow.’ muttered Rainsford, and he struck off from the rude path he had been following into the trackless wilderness. He executed a series of intricate loops; he doubled on his trail again and again…” (230). He was able to recognize a mistake that not many people realize, and he was able to correct it. Rainsford also makes a series of traps to stop Zaroff. He makes a Malay mancatcher, a Burmese Tiger Pit, and a vine trap from Uganda. Even Zaroff complements Rainsford’s wit. Zaroff says, "Rainsford, if you are within the sound of my voice, as I suppose you are, let me congratulate you. Not many men know how to make a Malay mancatcher” (Connell 232). However, there is one more reason Rainsford was able to survive.
The most important reason as to how Rainsford defeated Zaroff was his mental endurance. He was able to comprehend the situation at hand and react to it in a logical manner. In many parts of the story, Rainsford has to remind himself to stay composed. He says, “I will not lose my nerve. I will not.” (Connell 232). Rainsford realizes that as soon as he loses his focus and mindset, he will die. There were so many things that were happening to him, and it could've been easy for him to take a break and relax. But he didn’t, and his mental endurance allowed him to stay