There is also the element of "no way out." Since Rainsford was "stuck" on a relatively small island out in the middle of nowhere (somewhere in the Carribbean), he could run around in circles to escape Zaroff's clutches but never really escape. The jagged coral reefs which had ripped ships apart ("helped" by a fake lighthouse, too) also hemmed him in. Even so, where was he to he go? The remoteness of the island made it impossible to escape.
Also, the jungle environment lends itself well to the leit motif of survival of the fittest. In a purely Darwinist way, Rainsford matches both brawn and wits and wins over Zaroff. He sets various traps from his know-how gleaned through years of experience in big game hunting. Here, already, the roles are beginning to be exchanged.
It is interesting to note that Rainsford doubles back to confront Zaroff off guard "on his own turf." This castle is no humble abode but reeks with pure Gothic elements. There is a sharp contrast between luxury and violence, civilization and barbarism. For example, while Zaroff and his guest drink champagne, the walls around them display Zaroff's trophies, the decapitated heads of big game animals he has hunted on various continents. With a madman such as Zaroff, who knows? Perhaps Rainsford's head (and I had this gruesome thought when reading the first time) might be next....
In all these ways the setting lends itself well to the suspense (and mood) of the story.
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