In his dialogue with Whitney, Rainsford expresses a sportsman's attitude toward the hunted. He views hunting as a sport that requires skill, cunning, and a fair chance for the prey to escape. He believes that hunting should be done for the challenge and the thrill of the chase, not for the sake of killing. Rainsford is respectful of the animals he hunts and considers them worthy adversaries. He also shows remorse when he realizes that he has become the hunted and is facing the same dangers that he has inflicted on others.