Mary Allen
Introduction: The Mystery of the Victim in “The Most Dangerous Game”
“The Most Dangerous Game” is a classic short story by Richard Connell that explores the dark side of human nature and the thrill of the hunt. In the story, Sanger Rainsford, a renowned hunter, finds himself trapped on a remote island and hunted down by General Zaroff, a wealthy aristocrat who has become bored with hunting ordinary animals and now seeks the ultimate prey: humans. One of the most intriguing aspects of the story is the mystery surrounding the victim of Rainsford’s Burmese tiger pit, a deadly trap that he sets up to ensnare his pursuers. This article will delve into the details of the story and try to uncover the identity of the victim.
Who is Rainsford and What is the Burmese Tiger Pit?
Sanger Rainsford is a skilled hunter who is traveling by yacht with his friend, Whitney, to hunt jaguars in the Amazon rainforest. However, during the journey, Rainsford falls overboard and ends up on a mysterious island where he soon discovers the twisted game played by General Zaroff. The Burmese tiger pit is a trap that Rainsford creates by digging a deep hole and covering it with foliage, making it look like solid ground. When a prey steps on the concealed trapdoor, it falls into the pit and is impaled on sharp stakes at the bottom. Rainsford sets up this trap to defend himself against Zaroff and his henchmen, who are pursuing him relentlessly in the jungle.