Notice how the general and Rainsford are being compared to animals. What does this say about the distinction between animals and human beings?

Throughout "The Most Dangerous Game," the distinction between humans and animals is constantly being blurred. At various points in the story we are forced to ask ourselves exactly what it means to be human. Are we superior to animals by virtue of the fact that, unlike them, we have feelings? (This is what Rainsford believes.) Alternatively, does our superiority lie in our capacity to reason, something not shared by animals? (This is the position of General Zaroff).

When the action of the story moves to the appropriately named Ship-Trap Island, we are also confronted with the question of what it means to be civilized. General Zaroff, on the face of it, seems to be witty, urbane, and cultivated. However, he feels it sporting to hunt human quarry, treating them the same way as any other prey. Although Zaroff's sumptuous chateau appears to have all the trappings of civilization, it is merely a facade for his barbarism and savagery.

Ship-Trap Island is a place without any human laws. The only law is the law of the jungle. The implication here is that the already thin veneer that separates us from animals dissolves completely in the absence of institutions that restrain man's capacity for ruthless savagery. On Ship-Trap Island, there are no men, only animals. The only question is which animal has the strength, the guile, and the endurance to get on top and stay there.

By his (implied) killing of Zaroff, Rainsford has emerged as the strongest beast in the jungle. Additionally, his original justification for killing animals has been amply vindicated. As mentioned earlier, he believes that it is right for humans to kill animals because they have no feelings. On that score, the killing of General Zaroff can likewise be justified, not just on the grounds of self-preservation, but on the basis that Zaroff has proved to be nothing more than an animal without feelings and therefore fit only for slaughter.

Rainsford may have prevailed on Ship-Trap Island, showing that in nature, one beast may subdue another by force of strength and cunning. However, in the civilized world of men and laws beyond, he has not demonstrated in any way that human beings are truly superior to animals.