The Most Dangerous Game General Zaroff Quotes

General Zaroff

Quote 10

“Your brain against mine. Your woodcraft against mine. Your strength and stamina against mine. Outdoor chess!” (1.162)

Ask yourself this one: Why doesn’t Zaroff just play chess? Because he likes the physical challenge, too?

"Your Burmese tiger pit has claimed one of my best dogs. Again you score. I think, Mr. Rainsford, I’ll see what you can do against my whole pack. I'm going home for a rest now. Thank you for a most amusing evening." (2.21)

One scored for Rainsford. But if Zaroff is such a superior hunter, why does he need a pack of bloodhounds to help him?

General Zaroff

Quote 12

"No animal had a chance with me any more. That is no boast; it is a mathematical certainty. The animal had nothing but his legs and his instinct. Instinct is no match for reason.”

[…]

“[The ideal quarry] must have courage, cunning, and, above all, it must be able to reason.” (1.89, 98)

What does Zaroff mean by “mathematical certainty” in this context?