How does Rainsford and Whitney's discussion about hunting at the start of the story foreshadow later developments?

On board a yacht bound for South America, Rainsford and Whitney talk about hunting jaguars. When Rainsford declares that jaguar hunting is the "best sport in the world," Whitney replies, "for the hunter, not for the jaguar." Rainsford disdainfully responds, "Who cares how a jaguar feels? ... The world is made up of two classes-- the hunters and the hunted. Luckily you and I are hunters."

Later in the story Rainsford will become the hunted; he will discover what it feels like to become "an animal at bay." His experience is terrifying. The opening conversation with Whitney foreshadows Rainsford's "game" with General Zaroff when Rainsford unfortunately has the chance to find out how a hunted animal feels.And he discovers that hunted prey indeed experiences fear.