This is a great question. It is debatable. In my opinion, Rainsford had to do what he had to do. In other words, he did not want to kill General Zaroff, but he realized that if he was going to survive, he had to kill him in self-defense. Here is my rationale.
First, Rainsford wanted to get off the island right away when he realized that General Zaroff was hunting humans.
"General," said Rainsford firmly,...
This is a great question. It is debatable. In my opinion, Rainsford had to do what he had to do. In other words, he did not want to kill General Zaroff, but he realized that if he was going to survive, he had to kill him in self-defense. Here is my rationale.
First, Rainsford wanted to get off the island right away when he realized that General Zaroff was hunting humans.
"General," said Rainsford firmly, "I wish to leave this island at once."
Of course, General Zaroff would not let him. In fact, Zaroff was very excited to hunt such a great hunter like Rainsford. So, we can say that Rainsford had no choice but to play. The alternative would have been death.
Second, as Rainsford is being hunted, Rainsford realizes that running away would be suicide. The only way to survive was to go on the offensive. Here is what he says to himself.
Rainsford knew he could do one of two things. He could stay where he was and wait. That was suicide. He could flee. That was postponing the inevitable. For a moment he stood there, thinking. An idea that held a wild chance came to him, and, tightening his belt, he headed away from the swamp.
The conclusion that Rainsford came to was kill or be killed. From this perspective, he was acting in self-defense.
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