"Even so zealous a hunter as General Zaroff could not trace him there, he told himself; only the devil himself

Rainsford compares Zaroff to the devil.

Following the trail with the sureness of a bloodhound came General Zaroff."

Rainsford compares Zaroff to the devil.

Zaroff displays his savage side by orchestrating shipwrecks, confining humans in his basement, and hunting them for sport.

Richard Connell was an American author. The protagonist, during the time it was written, naturally had to be an American.

background adds historical realism to the nightmarish hunt on Ship-Trap Island.

Many Russian Cossacks, such as Zaroff and his assistant, Ivan, were military specialists who fought for centuries as mercenary soldiers in service to the czar until the collapse of the Russian empire

If the victim manages to elude the hunter "for three whole days", he wins the game, and he is given his freedom, taken by sloop back to the mainland and released near a town.

challenge in the hunt. Animals have lost their appeal and interest for him.

Mere animals require little effort for the hunt, and Zaroff requires a thinking or logical prey.

Outside of a three hour head start, there really aren't any rules. The huntees have no choice in their decision. To be hunted or given to Ivan isn't really a choice to hunt at least provides the huntee with a chance.