Zaroff's life. The audience knows that Rainsford creates the Malay mancatcher, digs the Burmese tiger pit, and fashions the Ugandan spring trap. However, the unsuspecting Zaroff is unaware of these traps and narrowly survives them. The fact that the audience knows what traps are present while the general doesn't is an example of dramatic irony.

Examples of verbal irony can be found several times in the conversation between the general and Rainsford. General Zaroff utilizes verbal irony when he tells Rainsford that he needed a "new animal" to hunt and refers to it as a "quarry." The verbal irony is that Zaroff is talking about human beings and does not overtly explain that he hunts humans throughout the island. Another example of verbal irony is when Zaroff turns on a light that indicates a false channel and says, "I have electricity. We try to be civilized here" (Connell, 8). This is considered verbal irony because Zaroff is being sarcastic, and his actions are anything but civilized.

One of the chief ironies in Richard Connell's short story "The Most Dangerous Game" is that while General Zaroff displays many of the attributes of a cosmopolitan gentleman, he is in fact a sociopathic murderer. This is a good example of situational irony. In situational irony something in a story occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters or the reader. In this case Zaroff's sophistication initially impresses Rainsford until he learns of the General's "game." Rainsford is shocked to learn that Zaroff is really hunting men. Zaroff lives in a palatial mansion with all the "amenities" of civilization including fine wine and cuisine. At one point Rainsford thinks,

The cocktail was surpassingly good; and, Rainsford noted, the table appointments were of the finest—the linen, the crystal, the silver, the china. 

The General is well educated and sophisticated. He tells Rainsford that he reads "all books on hunting" and, after he believes Rainsford has leaped to his death near the end of the story, he is reading the Roman emperor-philosopher Marcus Aurelius:

In the library he read, to soothe himself, from the works of Marcus Aurelius.

This is particularly ironic as Aurelius was a stoic who criticized violence and wrote that ethical behavior was the mark of a great man. Obviously the General thinks himself quite erudite, yet he hunts down men and kills them. For someone to show all the traits of the civilized and still engage in barbaric acts could definitely be considered ironic.

In addition to the ironies mentioned above, the title also presents an example of irony. The double entendre presented in the title is an example of verbal irony, playing on two distinct meanings of the word "game". Game is the animal that is hunted and is also a thing that is played.  

I think the most significant irony is that when Rainsford kills General Zarroff at the end, he is doing so to end the game his own way.  He is not playing the game, but in a way he is.  The descriptions of the place and General as civilized are also ironic.

The Most Dangerous Game has many ironies. 

The most obvious irony is when Rainsford the hunter becomes the hunted. In the beginning of the story, it is clear that Rainsford is not just a hunter, but a very accomplished and skilled hunter. He has been around the world, and he loves the sport. Moreover, he has little regard for animals. His cavalier attitude comes out when he says that there are only two classes of beings - the hunter and the hunted. Little does he know that he will become the hunted. Here is what he says:

"Nonsense," laughed Rainsford. "This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters. Do you think we've passed that island yet?"

Later Rainsford will meet Zaroff. Zaroff is a mad man, and he, like Rainsford, loves hunting. However, Zaroff no longer likes to hunt animals. They are too easy for him. He wants a greater challenge. For Zaroff, that greater challenge is people. So, he begins to hunt Rainsford who is on his island. The irony here is that the hunted (Rainsford) at the end of the short story hunts Zaroff.

A man, who had been hiding in the curtains of the bed, was standing there. "Rainsford!" screamed the general. "How in God's name did you get here?" "Swam," said Rainsford. "I found it quicker than walking through the jungle."

The general sucked in his breath and smiled. "I congratulate you," he said. "You have won the game."

Rainsford did not smile. "I am still a beast at bay," he said, in a low, hoarse voice. "Get ready, General Zaroff."

The general made one of his deepest bows. "I see," he said. "Splendid! One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed. On guard, Rainsford."

He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.

A symbol is a concrete object that stands in as a visual representation of an abstract concept. Ship-Trap Island is the most prominent symbol in "The Most Dangerous Game," representing the dual nature of human beings. On one hand, the island features traces of civilization in General Zaroff's mansion. The mansion is well kept and features several civilized comforts. However, the mansion is surrounded by dangerous wilderness. The jungle is thick. Death Swamp features deadly quicksand. The island itself is surrounded by ship-destroying rocks. So, even though Zaroff has set up a supposedly civilized spot on the island, the terrain is still largely untamed and dangerous.

The island's blend of civilization and wilderness reflects the inner state of the two main characters, Rainsford and Zaroff. Both are men caught between civilization and a more animalistic state. Zaroff is urbane and "sophisticated" yet loves hunting for the thrill of spilling blood in a rather animalistic fashion. Rainsford is presented as a somewhat honorable man, and he is thrust into the same situation as many of the animals he has hunted for prey in the past. When Rainsford finishes the game with Zaroff in the general's own bedroom (essentially taking the game started in the wilderness to the supposedly civil realm of the mansion), the boundary between civilization and the uncivilized becomes blurred.

In the story The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell, the jungle is a symbol for the evil in the world around us.  Though Rainsford is the hunted game in the story with General Zaroff being the hunter, Zaroff considers hunting humans to be only an extension of hunting big game which Rainsford does all the time.  Throughout the hunt in the jungle with Rainsford as the prey, Rainsford sets up obstacles to kill General Zaroff and succeeds in killing one of his dogs and Ivan, the mute giant.  Though at the beginning of the story, Rainsford is horrified at the idea of killing humans for sport, at the end it is Rainsford killing Zaroff without keeping him alive for trial.  The evil ideas have put Rainsford in Zaroff's bed and maybe on the island as the next human hunter.  The jungle evil has changed Rainsford and not for the better.

In "The Most Dangerous Game," the reader learns that Rainsford loves hunting as he converses with a crewmate about hunting--even life as a hunt.  Ironically, Rainsford fails to realize how he who sees the world in "two classes--the hunters and the huntees." is like his adversary, General Zaroff.  Later, Zaroff, claims that he has been "made a hunter." As he utters words that match the earlier remark of Rainsford, the reader perceives this situational irony in which he/she draws a conclusion that the characters have not yet done so.

During the dinner conversation, Rainsford becomes "absorbed in what his host was saying."  But, he gasps when he hears what the "new animal" to be hunted is.  He cannot "condone cold-blooded murder" he tells Zaroff.  However, in the climax when the dog is killed, Rainsford surpresses a cry of joy.  When Ivan is killed by the knife, Rainsford displays no emotion.  Here the reader realizes the transformatin.  Without knowing it, Rainsford has lost human emotion and has become as he states "an animal at bay."

Rainsford's final reflection, "He had never slept in a better bed,"  confirms  loss of humanity.  Ironically, he who does not condone cold-blooded murder does not regret having gone on with the "game" and kill Zaroff, a human being. Only the reader understands this loss of soul in Rainsford.

Rainsford is the hunter making the statement to his companion Whitney while they are still on the boat. This is before Rainsford becomes hunted by Zaroff on Shiptrap Island.  An ironic twist at the very beginning of the story.

Zaroff invites Rainsford to hunt with him, yet overcome by ethics and morals, Rainsford refuses to hunt and becomes the hunted.

Zaroff boasts about how he is bored and needs a prey suited to his ability. However, during the hunt when Zaroff has Rainsford "treed" but lets him go. When Rainsford circles back to the house and waits for Zaroff to return to "home-base" that is when he attacks.

Zaroff boasted about his complete lack of humanity by hunting human prey exclusively. Rainsford is appalled by this and literally must think himself out of his predicament.  In thinking his way out of his predicament, he ends up killing Zaroff's helper, eluding the hounds, and killing Zaroff.

This is very ironic because Rainsford is seriously out-matched by the hunting dogs ability to smell, and the tracker Ivan. In an ironic twist, Rainsford is able to outwit all of them and ends up sleeping in Zaroff's bed at the end of the story.

My students like examining the question of what type of narration is used in MDG. How does the shift in point of view affect the reader and add to the suspense? For example, the story is technically in 3rd person limited throughout; that is, until the point that Zaroff is back in his bedroom and assumes that Rainsford is dead. Suddenly, the narrator knows the thoughts of Zaroff (see story for quote - it is in the last two paragraphs where we enter the mind of Zaroff). Suddenly, Rainsford appears and that is the end of Zaroff's perspective; it is back to Rainsford. So, is the story 3rd person limited, or 3rd person omniscient? (narrator knowing thoughts and feelings of more than one character)

I believe the first part of your question is to prepare a question and an answer that analyzes this story.  I'll take that part and provide you with one question that allows for further study of the story: 

After the hunt, do you think Rainsford will become more like General Zaroff? Why or why not?

This is one of my favorite questions concerning this story.  Zaroff is so cold-hearted that the reader easily sides with Rainsford and hopes for him to win.  In the end, he has won and readers can assume this is a happy ending.  However, Rainsford returns to commit cold-blooded murder, just as Zaroff was going to do.  Then he sleeps comfortably in Zaroff's bed, showing no remorse.  Everything suggests that this experience, rather than pushing Rainsford further away from Zaroff actually brings him closer to being like Rainsford.

General Zaroff poses as a civilized man living in civilized surroundings while committing the most uncivilized actions possible toward other humans. His Cossack upbringing is a partial explanation for his behavior. Cossacks were among the fiercest of Russia's soldiers during the 19th and early 20th centuries, known for their excellent horsemanship skills and their loyalty to the Czar. The Cossacks were displaced and dispersed following the overthrow of Czar Nicholas, and this is presumably why Zaroff is now living on his isolated island. He symbolizes both the last of a dying breed of faithful soldier as well as a horrible new breed of killer.

"The Most Dangerous Game" is repleat with animal imagery and hunting symbolism:

I hope the jaguar guns have come from Purdey's.

AND

...high screaming sound, the sound of an animal in an extremity of anguish and terror.

AND

a large animal--had thrashed about in the underbrush; the jungle weeds were crushed down and the moss was lacerated;

AND

About the hall were mounted heads of many animals--lions, tigers, elephants, moose, bears; larger or more perfect specimens Rainsford had never seen.

AND

...but my real interest was always the hunt. I have hunted every kind of game in every land. It would be impossible for me to tell you how many animals I have killed.

Connell uses animal and hunting symbolism to underscore his survivalist themes and to blur the line between animal and human fear and suffering.  All the characters, Whitney, Rainsford, Zaroff, and Ivan are hunters, and they seem to think humans are not only the best hunters but the best prey.

The color crimson is a subtle detail that appears at least twice in the short story.  First, as Rainsford washes up on shore, he notices the color on the "lacerated" plants.  Next, we are told General Zaroff's sash is crimson.  The color is vibrant, violent, and bold--much like the game itself.

Given that hunting—whether of humans or of animals—constitutes a major part of the book's action it's not surprising that blood and the color red should be important symbols. They symbolize death, violence, and the warning of dangers to come. It's notable, for instance, that when Rainsford accidentally falls from the yacht into the sea off Ship-Trap Island, the sea is described as "blood warm".

Normally, a warm sea would be inviting, somewhere we'd like to swim. But "blood warm" is a different matter entirely. We sense straight away that this is not a place where anyone would want to spend much time if they had to. Ship-Trap Island is a dark, forbidding place, and the sea surrounding it reinforces this impression.

The reference to the "blood warm" sea also foreshadows what's in store for Rainsford later on as he becomes the prey in General Zaroff's latest hunting expedition. As indeed does the "stained crimson" that Rainsford discovers in the weeds when he finally makes it ashore. Rainsford realizes straight away that this is blood. However, what he doesn't yet know is that it is human, not animal blood, the blood of the last man who lost one of Zaroff's sick little games.

I don't know that "The Most Dangerous Game" has that many symbols in it.  It has a few themes, but it's more of an adventure story than a story filled with symbolism.  But if I had to take a shot - I'd look at Zaroff's mansion.  I think this could represent his love of hunting and killing.  Zaroff obviously is very wealthy and quite intelligent; however, instead of using his money and talents to benefit humanity, he uses them to destroy it.  To his credit, when Rainsford learns what Zaroff deems is the best type of game to hunt, he is revolted.  For Rainsford it is murder, not sport.  He sees a clear distinction between animals and human life.  Zaroff, in his greed and blood lust, has lost that distinction.  Now the interesting thing to examine is since Rainsford defeats Zaroff in the climax and now has sole possession of the mansion and island, has his attitude toward hunting and the value of human life changed?  Or will he become as corrupted as Zaroff after getting a taste of the most dangerous game?

The color red is repeatedly used throughout "The Most Dangerous Game" to symbolize death. It is noted that General Zaroff shows "red lips" when he smiles; this foreshadows the bloodthirsty desire of the general to create a sporting event out of hunting humans. Rainsford notices that he is served a "rich, red soup" as General Zaroff comments that he tries to "preserve the amenities of civilization." Ironically, the men sustain themselves with a blood-colored soup while General Zaroff desires the actual blood of men, which certainly lacks any sense of "civilization." Ivan, who serves as Zaroff's killing assistant, wears a "crimson sash" around his waist; the color choice is a symbolic and visible reminder of Ivan's role in Zaroff's plans.

The island itself is symbolic of the wild and unpredictable nature of humanity. When Rainsford arrives on the island, he sees the rugged natural terrain as a threat. The "tangle of trees" presents a great "peril," and the sea is deemed his "enemy." Thus, Rainsford is drawn to the "many lights" of the mansion, equating this "lofty structure" with his salvation. Unfortunately, the man who awaits him inside this man-made structure presents a far greater threat than any of the natural elements on the island, and Rainsford must escape Zaroff's savage plans by presumably becoming a murderer himself. The island, which houses both the wilderness of nature and the wilderness of humanity's heart, is a reminder that danger can exist anywhere.

The Most Dangerous Game is not a story where symbolism plays an important role so it is difficult to find a specific symbol. One might say that danger could symbolize the story because the setting, plot, and antagonist are all dangerous. One might even say that "game" is a symbol. Game in both senses of the word. First, game int he sense that General Zaroff has created what he believes is more a game with rules than an unfair murderous plot. Second, game in the sense that humans are the most dangerous game because they can think and reason so they are unpredictable because they act on more than animal instinct.