1. “But as he forged along, he saw to his great astonishment that all the lights were in one enormous building—a lofty structure with pointed towers plunging upward onto the gloom. His eyes made out the shadowy outlines of a palatial chateau; it was set on a high bluff, and on three sides of its cliffs dived down to where the sea licked greedy lips in the shadow.” The importance of this house is that it gives Rainsford hope. Rainsford could have died from starvation, or thirst, and all alone of the island. Here Rainsford met Zaroff. Meeting Zaroff made the difference between life and death for the hunter. Zaroff gave Rainsford for and shelter while he was plotting an evil plan to hunt the famous hunter.

2. “The cry pinched off short as the blood-warm waters of the Caribbean Sea closed over his head.” “He struggled to the surface and tried to cry out, but the wash from the speeding yacht slapped him in the face and the salt water in his open mouth made him gag and strangle.” The importance of the boat in the story is that it was the setting for Rainsford to actually fall into the waters and have to swim ashore. If Rainsford never fell off the boat he would not have had to been hunted by Zaroff. Also while in the waters Rainsford heard gunshots which helped guide him to shore. Rainsford then knew of the danger but kept swimming for the slim chance of safety on the island.

3. The tree helped save Rainsfords life. He quickly climbed up the tree when he heard the sound of the hounds. If rainsford hadn’t climbed up the tree he would have been eaten alive by the hounds or shot by General Zaroff. Here Rainsford realized that Zaroff knew where he was up in the tree but to mess with him he acted as though he did not know. This showed Rainsford how skilled of a hunter General Zaroff really was.