The theme of "The Most Dangerous Game" is explored in various ways throughout the story. Here are some of the main themes that are present in the story:
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Humanitys justification for murder: The principle theme of the story is the ethics of killing living beings. Both Sanger Rainsford and General Zaroff are accomplished hunters who enjoy shooting big game animals. Despite Rainsfords initial horror at the idea of hunting humans, he eventually realizes that he must kill Zaroff in order to survive.
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Hunters vs. the hunted: The most obvious theme of the story is the relationship between the hunter and the hunted. At the beginning of the story, Rainsford and Zaroff are both hunters, but by the end of the story, Rainsford has become the hunted and must use his skills to evade Zaroff.
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Fear and perseverance: In order to survive the "game" and not let Zaroff get the better of him, Rainsford must overcome his fear of being caught by the General, must overcome the physical pain he experiences after suffering wounds to his face and hands from making his way through the thick brush of the jungle, and he must overcome his fatigue from trying to elude Zaroff for three days. Rainsford must stay calm and alert to win this "game" and stay alive.
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The meaning of civilization: Zaroffs argument is that it is actually more unethical to kill animals than it is to kill humans, because animals cannot reason. This theme is further discussed once Rainsford talks to Zaroff. Zaroff explains that he hunts/murders humans because humans are the only prey available that can reason. "The animal had nothing but his legs and his instinct. Instinct is no match for reason. . . That is why I use them. It gives me pleasure. They can reason, after a fashion. So they are dangerous".
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The unreliability of sensation: The story explores the idea that what we perceive as "civilized" behavior is often just a veneer that can be easily stripped away. Rainsford initially believes that he is a civilized person who would never engage in the kind of behavior that Zaroff is proposing. However, as the story progresses, he realizes that he is capable of killing another human being in order to survive.
