The inciting incident in ‘The Most Dangerous Game’ occurs when Rainsford, the protagonist, falls overboard from a yacht and swims to the mysterious Ship-Trap Island. This pivotal moment sets off a chain of events that lead him to encounter General Zaroff, who hunts humans for sport.
This incident is crucial because it transitions Rainsford from a confident big-game hunter to a victim in a deadly game. It introduces the central conflict of the story: the struggle for survival and the moral implications of hunting for pleasure. As Rainsford navigates the challenges on the island, the stakes rise, and the reader is drawn into the thrilling exploration of humanity and instinct.