Although written almost a hundred years ago, this seemingly timeless adventure story from Richard Connell is still widely taught in schools. In addition to being an exciting, suspenseful read, one of the reasons for this is the continuing passionate debate about the ethics of hunting for sport. Rainsford the hunter has no regard for the rights or feelings of the animals he kills; Rainsford the hunted clearly thinks otherwise. Note the play on words in the title. Both the ‘game’ Zoroff plays and the ‘game’ he hunts are dangerous. Themes: trophy-hunting, man’s inhumanity to man, violence and cruelty, survival, revenge.
Original Text / PDF / Audio (8,000 words)