The author employs satire to critique societal norms and beliefs in various ways throughout the paragraphs. By using Zaroff's description of Spanish sailors, the author highlights and mocks overly simplistic stereotypes, suggesting that such generalizations are absurd. Additionally, through Rainsford's questions, the author questions and satirizes the concept of what is considered polite society, revealing the underlying absurdities in social conventions.
Zaroff’s comparison of his prison to a school is another satirical element that critiques society's definitions of civility, implying that brutality can be misconstrued as a form of refinement or education. Furthermore, the narrator's descriptions during the character interactions serve to satirize the notion that hunting is a mere game, undermining the romanticized perception of hunting by exposing its darker realities. Overall, the author's use of satire serves to challenge and provoke thought about societal beliefs and practices.