What theme is highlighted in this excerpt from “the most dangerous game” by richard connell?
rainsford remembered the shots. they had come from the right, and
doggedly he swam in that direction, swimming with slow, deliberate strokes,
conserving his strength. for a seemingly endless time he fought the sea.
( a.) speed
( b.) perseverance
( c.) ruthlessness
( d.) bloodlust

its structered sequentially i think

the answer is:

to persuade readers that a conquering prince must destroy a former republic if he hopes to hold it.

in the excerpt from "the prince," the author niccolò machiavelli suggests that to take possession of a city and endure the control over it, it is necessary to destroy it first. otherwise, people who have known freedom will eventually turn against the new rulers and fight back to recover their power.