after the Bolshevik Revolution, during which many a peasant starved. As one of the "noble Russians," an officer of the Czar, Zaroff has fled the country. Now, he enjoys his borsch and filet mignon, but he probably feels resentment toward those beneath him who have effected the death of the Czar. Nevertheless, because he "had invested heavily" he enjoys a privileged life and lives in an world imitative of his Old Russia.

Borscht is a Russian soup made with beets that is blood red, symbolizing Zaroff’s bloodlust.

Borscht is popular in the Ukraine and Russia, and other Eastern European countries.  It is traditionally made with beetroots, which makes it blood read.  Hot, red, liquid brings to mind blood.  In fact, borscht is sometimes even made with blood as an ingredient. 

General Zaroff prides himself on bringing civilization to his island.  This means he built a great big, fancy house.  He has electricity and wine, and imports his food.  The borscht is more than him showing off.  It makes him seem all the more bloodthirsty.  A man who loves to hunt humans eats blood-red soup. 

Rainsford notices the color of the soup.

They were eating borsch, the rich, red soup with whipped cream so dear to Russian palates. Half apologetically General Zaroff said, "We do our best to preserve the amenities of civilization here. Please forgive any lapses. We are well off the beaten track, you know. Do you think the champagne has suffered from its long ocean trip?"

Zaroff brags about importing the champagne by ship.  He is demonstrating to Rainsford that he gets whatever he wants.  This is the attitude he has toward life, and the reason why he thinks that it is acceptable to kidnap sailors and hunt, then kill them.  Rainsford accepts Zaroff’s quirks and even thinks he is being a good host, but the man makes him uncomfortable.

"Not in the least," declared Rainsford. He was finding the general a most thoughtful and affable host, a true cosmopolite. But there was one small trait of the general's that made Rainsford uncomfortable. Whenever he looked up from his plate he found the general studying him, appraising him narrowly.

Zaroff knows who Rainsford is already.  He has read his books.  He is likely studying him to see if he is willing to hunt people, and if not, if he will be good prey.  Of course, Rainsford does not approve of hunting men.  He also has no choice but to play Zaroff’s game, because he will be killed by Ivan if he doesn’t.

When Sanger Rainsford enters the home of General Zaroff, he asks his host if Ivan is Russian. Zaroff tells Rainsford that he and Ivan are both Cossacks.

Historically, the Cossacks were an ethnic group centered in southern Russia and southeastern Ukraine and noted for their military prowess and excellent horsemanship. The etymology of the word "Cossack" is free man or adventurer, which is fitting for Zaroff, the master of the hunt. It is clear that Zaroff is proud of his heritage.

In Russia and nearby areas, borscht is traditionally served at wakes after a funeral has been held. Because it is made with beets, it is bright-red in color. Zaroff and Rainsford eat borscht together, and this could be symbolic in a few ways. First of all, it is a way for Zaroff to celebrate his cultural identity as an Eastern European. It is clearly a luxury, since the ingredients would have to be imported, and so it is yet one more way for Zaroff to flaunt his wealth.

Because the dish has an association with funerals, it could be a bit of foreshadowing, since only one of the two men will emerge alive from the hunt that Zaroff has planned for the following day. Or, it could be a private joke between the two Cossacks, since they both fully expect that Rainsford will be dead soon.

And finally, the soup's rich red color could suggest a connotation of blood, as these two world-class hunters dine together and discuss their hunting exploits. It also foreshadows the blood that will be spilled the next day.