Explain how beginning the story with the dialogue between Rainsford and Whitney contributes to both the author’s characterization of Rainsford and the story’s mood.

Rainsford is imparting his belief that humans are superior to animals..... that animals don't know fear...... that they have no feelings. Whitney, however, believes that anilmals do know fear. Shortly after this conversation, Rainsford will learn that his belief in two distinct classes, the hunter and the hunted, isn't as cut and dry as he believed. Becoming the hunted gives him an entirely different perspective. The mood moves from errie and mysterious to suspenseful (after Rainsford meets Zaroff).