Final answer:
The phrase separated by the em dashes in the sentence provides additional insight into the speaker's intentions, indicating that the rifle was not intended for aggressive use but for self-defense. It's a parenthetical element that adds depth to the narrative, often used in literature to convey complex thoughts or emotions related to conflict or personal safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase separated by the em dashes serves an important function in the sentence. Em dashes are often used to insert an explanatory or emphatic element into a sentence that is somewhat related to the rest, but stands alone as an additional thought or a parenthetical that could be removed without changing the fundamental meaning of the original sentence.
In the context provided, the dashes are used to give additional insight into the speaker's mindset and intentions regarding the rifle—it was for self-defense, not for the proactive intention of shooting the animal.
This literary technique is seen in several contexts, showing different aspects of armed encounters or thoughts of self-defense. For instance, the tension of potentially being shot at, the need to be wary of the enemy's gunfire, and calculations of the possibilities during a conflict are all situations where a character might elaborate on their respective thoughts or actions using phrases set off by em dashes. They help to convey the urgency, fear, and strategic thinking involved in situations where firearms are present, or violence is a threat.
Such usage of em dashes for additional context can render the narrative more vivid, nuanced, and immediate, allowing readers to delve deeper into the complexities of the character's experiences and the decisions they make.