Rainsford's experiences on the island change him mentally; he goes from believing
fear is not among the prey and they shouldn't be sympathizesympathized with, to understanding that all animals should deserve sympathetic pity and concern. At the beginning of the story, Rainsford says, "who cares how a jaguar feelsfeels?" because he strongly disagrees that animals have emotions and feelings whatsoever. At this point in the story, the prideful Rainsford doesn't acknowledge about howwhat animals undergo as they're being hunted down. This illustrates that Rainsford is an egocentric and narcissistic man who especially doesn't pity on how animals feel. He sees hunting as an enjoyable game and believes that "the world is made up of two classes: the hunter and the huntees"." At the end of the story, itsit states, "Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels," as he learns what fear runsfears run in the minds of animals. At this point in the story, Rainsford views that hunting must come to an end for the betterbetterment of himhimself and the prey. This illustrates that Rainsford has now changed his perspective on hunting when he realizes that he becomes the hunted , instead, of the hunter. His opinions shift throughout the story because he now obtains respect for animals. He gains much more knowledge of animal'sanimals' mindsets and his mentality towards hunting contrastcontrasts between the beginning to the end point of the story.