Great questions! I will try to provide some answers to the best of my ability. (SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH THE STORY) 1. General Zaroff describes the difficult and dangerous nature of the island during their dinner, and it is easy to perceive that Rainsford was lucky to survive when he initially came to the island. His hands were cut and bleeding as he climbed the jagged rocks to the surface, and on a less calm night he would have been slammed into the rocks and probably died. So, the sea was probably a last resort. However, I think part of Rainsford enjoyed the game and thought he could outsmart Zaroff, which is why he came back at the end. 2. This story was written in 1924 and this particular passage is referencing World War I and Rainsford digging trenches in France during the war. "That had been a placid pastime compared to his digging now." This really drives home the fear Rainsford was feeling when the war was more comfortable to him than being hunted by General Zaroff. 3. No real explanation is provided here. My only thought is that it's a densely forested jungle and it would be tough to spot Rainsford, but this gives no reason why Rainsford can spot Zaroff and Ivan through the same dense jungle. 4. I agree. Zaroff believes Rainsford swam to safety, or, more likely, took his own life when he jumped into the sea. Because of this, Zaroff believes Rainsford cheated and didn't play the game; instead, taking the easy way out. It was at this point that Zaroff thinks the game is off. This is why it is such a shock when Zaroff sees him in the bedroom. I think Zaroff telling him he won is because he outsmarted him, and maybe Zaroff is a little afraid now that he is caught at a disadvantage -- either that or he just didn't think about the time factor. Rainsford reaffirms the game is still on though when he mentions he is "still a beast at bay," so, it's possible he was reminding Zaroff of the rules here. But, Rainsford does eventually win the game, just not within the conditions that Zaroff initially provided during the lunch scene. 5. I think it would have taken too much time and energy for Rainsford to build a shelter, and staying in one place wouldn't have been ideal for surviving. I also think Zaroff would have been smart enough to know it was either a trap or a decoy as all the successful traps were hidden and not as obvious as a shelter type structure. Thanks for listening and thank you for your great questions about the story! Let us know if you have any other questions and we will be happy to respond!

@@otiostutios Yes, actually. Why would it matter if Rainsford had swum away earlier if he does it later, around the island. What difference is it? So you're saying it's hard to picture the two scenes RAinsford climbs a (different) tree? Whether it's me or anyone else, the visual really is vague, and therefore curious Zaroff didn't see him? Now remember, building a shelter is just hypothetical; we're only referring to Zaroff's point of view if he found one, not necessarily the time and ways Rainsford built it. But if you would like to picture it, pretend you're Zaroff and you find branches leaned against each other like a tent, with a "wall" (whatever it is made out of) in front to hide the interior. You think Zaroff would NOT go in there? Oh, yeah, could you explain the shore here? Is the narrator talking about Rainsford on cliffs the whole time? If so, then wouldn't Rainsford be too high to be "Along the shore"? Here's the full reference: "An unbroken front of snarled and ragged jungle fringed the shore. He saw no sign of a trail through the closely knit web of weeds and trees; it was easier to go along the shore, and Rainsford floundered along by the water. Not far from where he landed, he stopped." and "the print of hunting boots. They pointed along the cliff in the direction he had been going. Eagerly he hurried along, now slipping on a rotten log or a loose stone, but making headway;"

Thanks for listening! Glad you liked it!

Thank you so much for listening

Thanks for listening! Glad you enjoyed it!

I can relate to that and I can't help but feel... don't we all need to do just that?

As you are well aware of, we had the best Dad ever, and I can honestly say we had a few heart to heart talks but the only talk of killing we ever did that I can remember was maybe killing a couple of wild rabbits or squirrels so Mom could fix us her amazing Sunday morning breakfast of fried eggs, her delicious rabbit (or squirrel) gravy, her amazing homemade kat-head biscuits and her 'like no other can top our mothers' pipping hot fried apples! I miss both of our parents more than words can ever say and no doubt I will till my dieing day and beyond but the memories we created and the love that we ALL shared around that ol' dining room table keeps them alive in my heart and a smile on my face. Great chapter and thanks for sharing.

Thank you!

Bahahaha

Sandy is definitely wicked. We love Roger's performance as Jerry. He nailed it!

😂 Cross-Eyed Knife Warrior has quite a collection of quips!

😂

You better

Sure is

Or a shot of Vodka

@@georgecaudill7659That's usually my preference. 😉

Best comment ever. So true.