In Richard Connell’s short story, ‘The Most Dangerous Game’, General Zaroff injures his shoulder during a tense confrontation with Rainsford. After Rainsford is trapped in Zaroff’s lethal game of hunting, he becomes resourceful and sets traps in an effort to outsmart the general.
One significant moment occurs when Rainsford prepares a trap made of a tree that falls, and although it does not kill Zaroff, it successfully injures him. The impact of the trap causes Zaroff to suffer a shoulder injury, showcasing Rainsford’s cunning and survival instincts against the seemingly invincible general.
This injury serves to highlight the theme of the hunter becoming the hunted, as Zaroff’s superiority is diminished, making him more vulnerable as the story progresses. The dynamic between the two characters shifts, reflecting the unpredictable nature of their dangerous game.