How does Rainsford change his opinion about the hunters and hunted?
At the beginning of the short story, Rainsford is having a discussion with Whitney about hunting and Rainsford insists that it is the best sport in the world. Whitney responds by saying, "For the hunter . . . Not for the jaguar" (Connell, 1). Rainsford responds cavalierly by saying that jaguars have no understanding and do not feel the fear of being hunted. He then tells Whitney to be a realist and comments that the world is made up of two classes, "the hunters and the huntees."
As the story progresses, Rainsford finds himself trapped on Ship-Trap Island being hunted by the fanatical, murderous General Zaroff. Rainsford discovers firsthand what it feels like to be hunted and the fear of being prey. For three days, Rainsford struggles to survive on the dangerous island while Zaroff is hunting him. Rainsford begins to sympathize with the animals he once hunted after experiencing the fear, stress, and exhaustion of being someone's prey. At the end of the story, Rainsford surprises Zaroff in his bedroom and tells him, "I am still a beast at bay," which indicates that he truly understands what the jaguar feels like being hunted. Overall, Rainsford develops a unique perspective on the animals he once hunted after avoiding and surviving General Zaroff on Ship-Trap Island.
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