When Sanger Rainsford first arrives at General Zaroff's secluded chateau on Ship-Trap Island, he is greeted by Zaroff's intimidating, deaf servant Ivan. As Ivan aims his gun at Rainsford, General Zaroff descends the steps and politely introduces himself. Ivan obediently puts his pistol away, salutes the general, and leaves the room. Zaroff then mentions that Ivan is deaf and "a bit of a savage." When Rainsford asks if he is Russian, Zaroff says, "He is a Cossack...So am I." Zaroff's brief comment about Cossacks being savage (and his admission that he is one) foreshadows his the emergence of his maniacal, violent personality.
Although General Zaroff appears to be a civilized cosmopolitan, he turns out to be a fanatical hunter who does not value human life and casually hunts desperate people to satisfy his personal desires. The story's theme of civility versus savagery is exhibited primarily through General Zaroff's complex...
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personality. As a "savage" Cossack, Zaroff acknowledges that there is a primitive, hostile side to his character. Zaroff displays his savage side by orchestrating shipwrecks, confining humans in his basement, and hunting them for sport. Overall, General Zaroff's comment about Cossacks being savage foreshadows his own hostile, barbaric nature, which is on display later in the story.
What do Zaroff's remarks about Cossacks suggest about his behavior in "The Most Dangerous Game"?
We find out earlier in the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" that the maniacal hunter General Zaroff is a Cossack and a former member of the Russian Czar's elite cavalry force. He is the son of a nobleman, has led a privileged life and, according to his father, his "hand was made for the trigger." Additionally, Zaroff exhibits an air of superiority over both humans and the animals that he hunts. True, he is a leader of men, having commanded a division of Cossack cavalry in Russia, but he also lives up to the Cossack reputation of cruelty and ruthlessness. He earlier told Rainsford that he was forced to use the dogs on one of his human prey who nearly succeeded in eluding him, so it is no surprise that Zaroff resorts to the dogs to hunt Rainsford at the end. Zaroff's creed is to hunt and win at all costs.
What do Zaroff's remarks suggest about his behavior later in "The Most Dangerous Game"?
Zaroff tells Rainsford that he enjoys the sport of hunting (the "game") once more since he can match his wits against that of another person.This is finally stimulating because a human being can reason instead of simply acting by instinct or out of fear.
For this reason it does not surprise the reader when Zaroff lets Rainsford get away when he is hiding up in the tree instead of shooting him down straight away; he wants to "play" with him and see what he will do next to "escape."
When Zaroff goes back to his house to bandage his wound, he resorts to using the help of Ivan his henchman and finally, his dogs. He had mentioned to Rainsford earlier how indispensible they were to him, so this move can also be anticipated. This seems to be an unfair match, but in the end Rainsford "wins" after all. He is smart enough to realise he can't really escape from the island, so he doubles back to Zaroff's castle, profiting from the fact that the dogs are absent since they are out tracking him down.
Finally, it is Zaroff's procrastination, pride and curiosity which "do him in" in the end. He underestimates Rainsford's intelligence and becomes his prey (or "game") instead.