Most Dangerous Game (Connell)

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Richard Connell

The Most Dangerous Game

1924

Summary of the Short Story

Microsummary: A hunter reached an island where a wealthy Russian aristocrat hunted shipwrecked sailors. Forced to participate as prey, he used his skills to survive three days and ultimately killed his pursuer.

Short Summary

Caribbean Sea, early 20th century. While discussing hunting aboard a yacht, Sanger Rainsford fell overboard near the mysterious Ship-Trap Island.

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Sanger Rainsford — skilled hunter and author from New York, young man, athletic and resourceful, known for hunting snow leopards in Tibet, strong-willed and determined.

After swimming to shore, he discovered a palatial chateau owned by General Zaroff, who welcomed him warmly.

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General Zaroff — wealthy Russian Cossack, past middle age with white hair and black eyebrows, aristocratic features, refined manners masking cruel nature, obsessed with hunting.

The general revealed that he lured shipwrecked sailors to his island to hunt them for sport, giving them a three-day head start. When Rainsford refused to join the hunt as a partner, Zaroff forced him to become the prey. For three days, Rainsford used his hunting skills to evade capture, setting deadly traps that killed Zaroff's dog and servant. On the final night, Rainsford jumped into the sea to escape the pursuing hounds.

I am still a beast at bay, he said, in a low, hoarse voice. Get ready, General Zaroff... One of us is to furnish a repast for the hounds. The other will sleep in this very excellent bed.

Later that night, Zaroff found Rainsford waiting in his bedroom. In the ensuing fight, Rainsford emerged victorious and slept in Zaroff's bed, while the general's body became food for his own hounds.

Detailed Summary

Division of the summary into chapters is conditional.

A Fateful Night at Sea and the Fall

On a moonless Caribbean night, two men stood on a yacht discussing an island called Ship-Trap. While Whitney expressed concern about the sailors' superstitions regarding the place, Rainsford dismissed such fears as mere imagination.

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Whitney — fellow hunter and Rainsford's companion on the yacht, philosophical about hunting, shows concern for animals' feelings.

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? I can't tell in the dark. I hope so.

Later that night, while smoking alone on deck, Rainsford heard gunshots in the darkness. As he tried to locate their source, he lost his balance and fell overboard. Swimming toward the sound of the shots, he eventually reached Ship-Trap Island, exhausted but alive.

Meeting General Zaroff and the Terrible Revelation

Following signs of human presence, Rainsford discovered an imposing chateau. He was greeted by a giant armed man who led him to the owner, General Zaroff, an aristocratic Russian who recognized Rainsford as a famous big-game hunter.

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Ivan — deaf-mute Cossack servant, giant man with black beard to waist, incredibly strong, former knouter to the Great White Czar, loyal to Zaroff.

Over dinner, Zaroff revealed his life story as a wealthy Russian nobleman and lifelong hunter who had grown bored with traditional game. He explained that he had created a new kind of hunt to satisfy his passion. When Rainsford inquired about this new game, Zaroff's revelation was chilling.

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

Zaroff hunted humans, specifically shipwrecked sailors lured to the island by false channel lights. He offered them a choice: be hunted or face torture by Ivan. If they survived three days, they would be set free. None had succeeded.

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. Why should I not use my gift?

The Beginning of the Deadly Game and Rainsford's Struggle

Horrified by Zaroff's revelation, Rainsford refused to join the hunt as a fellow hunter. Given the choice between being hunted or facing Ivan, Rainsford chose to be hunted. He received hunting clothes, a knife, and food, with a three-hour head start.

Rainsford employed all his hunting knowledge to create a complex trail. He crafted a Malay mancatcher that wounded Zaroff's shoulder, and later dug a Burmese tiger pit that claimed one of the general's best dogs. Yet Zaroff seemed to treat the hunt as mere entertainment, returning to his chateau each night.

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. Then it was that Rainsford knew the full meaning of terror.

The Final Confrontation and Ultimate Victory

On the third day, with Zaroff's hounds in pursuit, Rainsford set a trap using a native trick learned in Uganda. The knife trap killed Ivan but only wounded Zaroff. Cornered at the cliff's edge, Rainsford chose to leap into the sea rather than face the dogs.

That evening, Zaroff returned to his chateau, disappointed at losing his quarry but consoling himself with fine wine and the works of Marcus Aurelius. However, when he entered his bedroom, he found Rainsford waiting behind the curtains. Rainsford had swum to the chateau and climbed up to the bedroom.

When Zaroff congratulated him on winning the game, Rainsford declared that he was still a beast at bay. The two men faced off in a final duel, with the loser to become food for the hounds. The story concluded with Rainsford sleeping in Zaroff's bed, having found it to be the most comfortable bed he had ever slept in - implying his victory over the general.