* Rainsford falls overboard and swims to the island: This sets the stage for the conflict and introduces the isolated, mysterious setting.
* He encounters Zaroff's luxurious chateau and meets the general: Zaroff's eccentric personality and unsettling stories about his hunting hobby create tension and foreshadow the danger to come.
* Zaroff reveals his "game": hunting humans: This is the central turning point, establishing the moral dilemma and high stakes of the story.
* Rainsford is forced to participate in the hunt: This action elevates the tension and throws Rainsford into a desperate struggle for survival.
* Rainsford's initial attempts to outwit Zaroff: His clever traps and strategies showcase his resourcefulness and increase the suspense as he narrowly escapes capture.
* The hunt intensifies, raising the stakes: As Zaroff becomes more persistent and the game becomes more perilous, the story builds towards its climax.
This series of events gradually intensifies the conflict and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, anticipating the climactic showdown between Rainsford and Zaroff. The rising action is crucial in building suspense and driving the narrative towards its ultimate resolution.