Who is the last man Zaroff hunts?
The last man General Zaroff hunts is Sanger Rainsford.
The Ultimate Hunt: Rainsford vs. Zaroff
In Richard Connell's celebrated short story, The Most Dangerous Game, General Zaroff, an incredibly wealthy and seasoned big-game hunter, has grown bored with animal prey and finds his ultimate thrill in hunting humans on his secluded Ship-Trap Island. His final and most challenging quarry is Sanger Rainsford, a distinguished American hunter who inadvertently becomes stranded on Zaroff's private domain.
The Dangerous Game Unfolds
General Zaroff initiates his "game" with Rainsford, laying out the chilling rules of the hunt. Rainsford is the latest prey for Zaroff's game, a dangerous contest where his survival hinges on his ability to outwit the General.
- The Premise: Rainsford is given minimal supplies—a hunting knife and a three-day head start—to navigate the dense, perilous jungle of the island.
- The Duration: The hunt is designed to last for three days. If Rainsford can successfully evade Zaroff, his formidable hunting dogs, and his loyal, intimidating henchman Ivan during this period, he is promised his freedom and safe passage off the island.
- The Stakes: Failure to survive means becoming another one of Zaroff's trophies, permanently adding to the grim collection in his mansion.
Rainsford, despite his initial horror at Zaroff's depraved sport, is forced to use all his considerable hunting acumen and survival instincts to evade his pursuer. His struggle through the island's jungle, setting elaborate traps and employing tactical diversions, showcases his prowess as a hunter now turned hunted.
The Final Confrontation
The intense pursuit culminates not with Rainsford merely surviving the three days, but with a direct confrontation back at Zaroff's mansion. Rainsford, having plunged into the sea to escape Zaroff's dogs, swims back to the chateau, surprising the General in his bedroom. This climactic encounter leads to a final, deadly duel between the two master hunters, marking the definitive end of General Zaroff's reign and his peculiar, murderous sport. Rainsford's victory ensures that he is the last individual ever to be subjected to Zaroff's deadly game.
For more information on the story and its characters, you can refer to analyses of The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell.
