The basic irony of the story is that the hunter is hunted. The irony is even starker, because Rainsford is a world-renowned hunter. No one would think that he would be hunted. In addition, in the beginning of the story, Rainsford says to his friend, Whitney, that there are two classes in the world - the hunter and the hunted. Then Rainsford says jokingly to Whitney that they are lucky because they are hunters.
When Rainsford finds himself on the island and falls prey to Zaroff's game, he becomes the hunted. Rainsford, the hunter, now is running for this life. Like an animal, he hides, evades, and fears pain and death. He even says that he knows what an animals feels. The text says:
Rainsford knew now how an animal at bay feels.
In light of these points, the whole short story is based on an ironic reversal.
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