Furthermore, Rainsford’s journey from being disgusted by Zaroff’s hunting methods to ultimately engaging in the activity himself highlights how much the environment influences how people behave. At first, Rainsford thinks Zaroff is acting in a brutal and immoral way. But as he makes his way through the island's hazardous terrain and enjoys the excitement of the hunt, Rainsford grows insensitive to the suffering of other people. This change in Rainsford personality shows how being in a harsh environment may weaken morality and send someone down a bad path. …show more content…
He contends that because of his wealthy background and exposure to a luxurious lifestyle, he has become indifferent to the worth of human life. This justification shows how one’s surroundings—in this example, riches and power—can cause people to act cruelly without feeling guilty. Zaroff’s conviction that his social standing makes him better than other people is a perfect example of how the environment can corrupt people and encourage the evil