Answer and explanation:
Rainsford is a character in the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell. He is a hunter who, at the beginning of the narrative, has a very strong opinion about the sport. He thinks the feelings of the prey should not be taken into consideration. There are the hunters and the huntees, and he flatters himself when he sees how lucky he is to be one of the hunters. Study the excerpt below, in which he discusses the matter with his friend:
"The best sport in the world," agreed Rainsford.
"For the hunter," amended Whitney. "Not for the jaguar."
"Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. "You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?"
"Perhaps the jaguar does," observed Whitney.
"Bah! They've no understanding."
"Even so, I rather think they understand one thing--fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death."
"Nonsense," laughed Rainsford. "This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters. Do you think we've passed that island yet?"
However, Rainsford ends up becoming the prey when he accidentally swims to General Zaroff's island. Zaroff hunts men, and he invites Rainsford to hunt with him. Rainsford refuses; he is unable to see other human beings as mere prey who deserve to die.
"Hunting? Great Guns, General Zaroff, what you speak of is murder."
The general laughed with entire good nature. He regarded Rainsford quizzically. "I refuse to believe that so modern and civilized a young man as you seem to be harbors romantic ideas about the value of human life. Surely your experiences in the war--"
"Did not make me condone cold-blooded murder," finished Rainsford stiffly.
Zaroff decides to hunt Rainsford. At the climax, Rainsford hides in the general's bedroom. Now that he's been through the horrifying experience of being hunted, Rainsford is able to relate to the animals he spoke so inconsiderately of at the beginning:
The general sucked in his breath and smiled. "I congratulate you," he said. "You have won the game."
Rainsford did not smile. "I am still a beast at bay," he said, in a low, hoarse voice. "Get ready, General Zaroff."
