# XI: The Hunting of the Man explained — The Island of Doctor Moreau > Chapter companion for The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells. ## What happens Prendick, now convinced that Moreau has been vivisecting humans, flees from Montgomery in a panic. He hides in a canebrake, then in a creek, and later encounters a simian Beast Man who leads him to a ravine where the Beast Folk live. ## Themes in this chapter ### Science Without Ethics Prendick's realization that Moreau has been vivisecting humans underscores the theme of unethical scientific experimentation. ### Humanity vs. Animality Prendick's interactions with the simian Beast Man highlight the blurred line between human and beast. ### Fear and Control Prendick's panic and flight demonstrate the theme of fear driving actions and the struggle for control over one's fate. ## Character check-ins ### Edward Prendick Flees from Montgomery, hides, and later follows a simian Beast Man to their huts. ### Montgomery Attempts to lock Prendick in his room; chases after him but loses him. ### Doctor Moreau Mentioned as the vivisector; Prendick is convinced he has been experimenting on humans. ### The Beast Folk Prendick encounters a simian Beast Man who leads him to the Beast Folk's huts. ## Key lines > It came before my mind with an unreasonable hope of escape that the outer door of my room was still open to me. I suddenly realized, with a faint hope of getting away, that the outer door of my room was still unlocked. _Prendick's desperate hope for escape as he realizes the door is open._ > I was convinced now, absolutely assured, that Moreau had been vivisecting a human being. I was now completely certain that Moreau had been performing vivisection on a human. _Prendick's firm belief about Moreau's experiments._ > I heard a step outside, and incontinently flung open the door and found Montgomery within a yard of it. Hearing footsteps, I immediately threw open the door and saw Montgomery just a yard away. _Prendick's impulsive action upon hearing Montgomery approach._ > I raised this nailed stick of mine and cut at his face; but he sprang back. I swung my stick with the nail at his face, but he jumped back to avoid it. _Prendick attacks Montgomery with a makeshift weapon._ > I ran furiously up the slope, over it, then turning eastward along a rocky valley fringed on either side with jungle I ran for perhaps a mile altogether, my chest straining, my heart beating in my ears. I sprinted up the slope, crossed it, and then ran east through a rocky valley lined with jungle for about a mile, my chest heaving and heart pounding loudly. _Prendick's frantic run to escape Montgomery._ > I heard a staghound bay, and at that realised a new danger. The sound of a staghound barking made me aware of another threat. _Prendick realizes he is being hunted by a dog._ > I went straight into the water without a minute’s hesitation, wading up the creek, and presently finding myself kneedeep in a little stream. Without hesitating, I waded into the creek and soon found myself knee-deep in a small stream. _Prendick takes refuge in the water to evade the dog._ > I saw that it was the simian creature who had met the launch upon the beach. I recognized the ape-like creature that had greeted the boat on the beach. _Prendick identifies the simian Beast Man he had seen earlier._ > He held his own hand out and counted his digits slowly, 'One, two, three, four, five—eigh?' He extended his hand and slowly counted his fingers, 'One, two, three, four, five—eight?' _The simian Beast Man's malformed hand and confused counting._ > I tried to make out what he meant by that, and it seems I bored him. I attempted to understand his meaning, but apparently I annoyed him. _Prendick's difficulty communicating with the Beast Man._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_island_of_doctor_moreau_se/chapters/xi-the-hunting-of-the-man - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_island_of_doctor_moreau_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_island_of_doctor_moreau_se/chapters