Rainsford, John

John Rainsford is a fictional character from the short story "The Most Dangerous Game," written by Richard Connell. In the story, he is an accomplished big-game hunter who, after falling overboard from a yacht, swims to a secluded island. The island is owned by General Zaroff, who reveals that he hunts humans for sport. Rainsford becomes the hunted in a deadly game of survival, showcasing themes of morality, civilization versus savagery, and the instinct to survive. His character epitomizes the conflict between hunter and hunted, challenging readers to consider the nature of humanity.