come to mind are weird, strange, evil. Others are extremely interesting, possibly exaggeration and/or hideous. This story is extremely interesting for its hideous plot. There is something evil about hunting humans. One has to realize this is possibly one of the greatest of exaggerations. While it is only a story, a first time reading it is absolutely captivating. In all its weirdness, this story keeps the reader on edge with great suspense. It is suspenseful. The first time reader cannot put the story down.

I think that to describe Rainsford during the hunt you need the word "ingenuity."  As an overall summary of the story, I might write "How you would feel if you were the prey in a hunt?"  Or maybe (regarding Zaroff) "Would you like to hunt and kill human beings?"

It's hard to argue that Zaroff's hunt of Rainsford isn't the most exciting part of "The Most Dangerous Game." However, I've always enjoyed the final scenes of the short story when Zaroff dines on what will be his final meal before being surprised by the still very-much-alive Rainsford in the bedroom. It's a great ending to the tale, and the author wisely does not continue with the description of Rainsford's disposal of Zaroff. It allows the reader to wonder about Zaroff's final moments. Does Rainsford hunt him down in the same way the Cossack pursued his prey? Or does Rainsford merely kill Zaroff in the bedroom? The reader is given the opportunity to fantasize about Zaroff's end, leaving a bit of mystery to the finale as Rainsford settles down for his well-deserved sleep.

This is, of course, only an opinion, but I think that the best part of this story is the part where Rainsford is out on the island being hunted by Zaroff and the dogs.  I think that this is the best part because it is the part with the most suspense.  It is also the most interesting because it is the part where Rainsford is doing everything he can to survive.

When I first read this story (I was maybe 10), I was attracted to this part because of how intelligent and cunning Rainsford is.  He figures out ways to evade and actually even to harm Zaroff even though he is the prey and not the hunter.  It was very attractive because it was a suspenseful part where Rainsford struggled against the odds.  That is why I liked that part best.

One quote for Rainsford comes during his first meeting with General Zaroff, as they discuss the hunt and Zaroff's new vocation.

"I can't believe you are serious, General Zaroff. This is a grisly joke."

"Why should I not be serious? I am speaking of hunting."

"Hunting? Great Guns, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder."

 Rainsford, although a skilled and experienced hunter, clearly defines the difference between ment and animals. His knowledge of killing does not make him a sociopath, but a man with a specific skillset. He refuses to accept the notion that humans are fair game for hunting, and instead continues to think of Zaroff's actions as murder, even when he emulates them.

One quote for General Zaroff occurs during the hunt, when Rainsford has laid a false trail and climbed a tree to escape. Zaroff tracks him to the tree but then leaves instead of "finding" him.

The general was playing with him! The general was saving him for another day's sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse.
(Quotes: Connell, "The Most Dangerous Game,"

This quote shows Zaroff's cruel and deliberate nature; instead of ending the hunt and proving his superior tracking skills, he makes a conscious decision to prolong the hunt for his own amusement. By letting Rainsford live, he is both showing off his own ability and telling Rainsford by implication that he is as good as dead. However, Zaroff prefers that the hunt continue, since he has begun to feel bored with hunting normal people, and finds Rainsford's skills exciting.

At the beginning of the story, Rainsford has a casual conversation about hunting with Whitney, where he expresses his philosophy on life. Rainsford tells Whitney,

The world is made up of two classes—the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters. (Connell, 1)

Rainsford's comment is significant because it parallels General Zaroff's philosophy on life and hunting later in the story. At this point, Rainsford cannot sympathize with his prey and believes that he possesses the inalienable right to kill weaker animals because he is a predator.

During Rainford's first meal with General Zaroff, the general elaborates on his affinity for hunting and explains to Rainsford how it gradually became an absolute bore because of his perfection. The general mentions that hunting no longer became a challenge and it was simply a mathematical certainty that he would catch his quarry. General Zaroff then introduces his concept of hunting humans to Rainsford by saying,

I wanted the ideal animal to hunt ... So I said, "What are the attributes of an ideal quarry?" And the answer was, of course, "It must have courage, cunning, and, above all, it must be able to reason." (Connell, 7)

After the general explains to Rainsford that he hunts humans throughout Ship-Trap Island, Rainsford is appalled and calls him a murderer. However, Zaroff disagrees and elaborates on his philosophy by saying,

Life is for the strong, to be lived by the strong, and, if needs be, taken by the strong. The weak of the world were put here to give the strong pleasure. I am strong. (Connell, 15)

Zaroff's philosophy is ironically similar to Rainsford's and he feels that he has the right to oppress and harm weaker beings simply because he is strong.

During Rainsford's harrowing experience on Ship-Trap Island, he discovers what it is like to be prey. Rainsford experiences the fear, vulnerability, and helplessness animals feel as they are ruthlessly hunted. At the end of the story, Rainsford sneaks into Zaroff's room and surprises him. Rainsford tells the general,

I am still a beast at bay ... Get ready, General Zaroff. (Connell, 15)

Rainsford's comments emphasize his transformation and it becomes obvious that he understands what it is like to be prey. Rainsford then defeats Zaroff in hand-to-hand combat and rests peacefully in his bed.