Final answer:
The question appears to misunderstand the content of 'The Most Dangerous Game' as it references Richard and his mother's treatment of him, which is not an element of this story. Richard Connell's tale does not include the protagonist Rainsford's mother or her interactions with him.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the character dynamics in Richard Connell's short story, The Most Dangerous Game. However, there seems to be a confusion in the question, as the character named Richard is not actually treated by his mother in the story, since the story focuses on the experiences of the protagonist, Rainsford, and his encounter with the hunter General Zaroff on a deserted island. There is no mention of Rainsford's mother or her treatment of him throughout the narrative. Therefore, the question as it stands does not accurately reflect the content of The Most Dangerous Game. To provide assistance on a different aspect of the story or to clarify the characters and plot, further information would be needed. It seems the student may have confused the story of The Most Dangerous Game with another story where a mother-son relationship is relevant.