The Most Dangerous Game

Rainsford and Zaroff are both big game hunters, and the novel’s action revolves around the sport of hunting. Connell’s use of the hunting motif aids creates suspense and action, while also questioning the morality of big game hunting. Whitney and Rainsford are depicted as trophy hunters; they are en route to hunt jaguars in the Amazon, exotic animals that the men are not hunting for meat but sport. Zaroff, too, has done his share of trophy hunting but now pushes the limits of the sport not for the trophy but the adrenaline rush. Although Zaroff’s hunting practices are different from Rainsford’s, both have unhealthy views of the sport. Both men see themselves as powerful simply because of their birthrights as wealthy and educated men. They view their social position as justification for taking what they want from the world without thinking about the consequences. Neither is concerned about good stewardship of nature nor do they seek animals to provide meat for themselves or others. Connell’s choice to use hunting as the foundation for his story adds excitement and entertainment to the story but also functions to raise questions about what it means to hunt ethically.