Shooting an elephant essay. Shooting an Elephant Essay Questions 2022-12-19
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"Shooting an Elephant" is a short story written by George Orwell, first published in 1936. The story is an autobiographical account of Orwell's experience as a British imperial police officer in Burma, and it explores themes of colonialism, power, and the nature of authority.
At the beginning of the story, Orwell receives a call to deal with an elephant that has gone "must," meaning that it is in a state of extreme excitement or aggression. As he approaches the elephant, Orwell becomes increasingly aware of the power dynamics at play between himself, the Burmese people, and the elephant. He is under pressure to demonstrate his authority as a representative of the British Empire, but he also feels a sense of sympathy and compassion for the elephant.
As the story progresses, Orwell finds himself in a difficult position. On the one hand, he knows that it is his duty to shoot the elephant, as it poses a danger to the people of the village. On the other hand, he feels a strong moral reluctance to kill the animal, especially as it seems to be in a state of distress. Ultimately, Orwell decides to go through with the shooting, but he does so with a sense of shame and remorse.
The story is a poignant reflection on the nature of power and authority, and how it can lead individuals to act in ways that go against their own moral code. It also serves as a commentary on the destructive effects of colonialism, as Orwell's role as a representative of the British Empire puts him in a position of authority over the Burmese people, even though he is deeply ambivalent about this role.
Overall, "Shooting an Elephant" is a thought-provoking and powerful tale that raises important questions about the nature of power and authority, and the ways in which they can shape our actions and beliefs. It is a must-read for anyone interested in these themes, and its enduring relevance makes it a timeless classic.
An Analysis of Orwell"s "Shooting an Elephant" Essay
He finds himself between two the empire, represented by the elephant and the natives. For us, especially high school students, the feelings of helplessness we face is because of peer pressure. Moreover, I did not in the least want to shoot him. I did not then know that in shooting an elephant one would shoot to cut an imaginary bar running from ear-hole to ear-hole. At first, one would think that it made sense for him to kill the elephant to save his own pride and possibly his freedom, but that was not so.
The sub inspector who had called Orwell was waiting for him with two constables. But even then I was not thinking particularly of my own skin, only of the watchful yellow faces behind. The crowd behind Orwell was growing bigger. Early in the essay, Orwell claims that at the time of the events of the story, he was too young to know how to confront his own dilemma. He had broken his chains and escaped into the town and the mahout who could control it had given the wrong way to chase the beast and could not be back for twelve hours. He looked suddenly stricken, shrunken, immensely old, as though the frightful impact of the bullet had paralysed him without knocking him down. Our peers have a large impact on what, why, and how we do things.
Had the elephant still been volatile. It remained an important influence throughout his literary career. GradeSaver, 22 February 2017 Web. Orwell felt a strong remorse and therefore resigned when he was in England on a leave. The locals followed him like a procession. And suddenly I realized that I should have to shoot the elephant after all. The officer struggles with the choice to kill the elephant.
He believes that his actions are due to human nature and so he speaks as if his decision would be matched by others. He begins the story by telling us how he had made up his mind that imperialism was evil and he wished to get out of his job. She has a PhD in Media, Art and Text from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BA in film production from Marlboro College. As the reader analyzes this story, they will soon understand why the narrator says he doesn 't like imperialism. One could have imagined him thousands of years old.
≡Essays on Shooting An Elephant. Free Examples of Research Paper Topics, Titles GradesFixer
However, apart from imperialism and its effects on local life, the essay is also about how the inherent evil of imperialism is destroying the freedom of both the oppressor and the oppressed. However, this was about the subjects. The elephant is equal to the British Empire ravaging via Burma and disrupting the little bit of peace that they have. And suddenly I realized that I should have to shoot the elephant after all. At the second shot he did not collapse but climbed with desperate slowness to his feet and stood weakly upright, with legs sagging and head drooping.
Orwell hates his job because imperialism has negatively affected him, as well as others around him. In "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell, is set at a time during the 1800's when the country of Burma was overruled and the British imperialist rule took over. He realizes the his determination have to be based on the best curiosity of the Burmese. Symbolism In Rudyard Kipling's Kim 2071 Words 9 Pages Yet he clearly loves India and its diversity of peoples and respects their cultural differences. He desperately did not want to be laughed at. He can't do it, but he must. He wrote, "The crowd would laugh at me.
I decided that I would watch him for a little while to make sure that he did not turn savage again, and then go home. In the hunt for natural resources the British forced themselves upon the people of… While reading the essay Shooting an Elephant, first published in 1 936 by Eric Blair under the pen name of George Orwell, one gets captivated by the intricate web of rhetoric that Blair weaves throughout the piece. It is now called Myanmar. The officer is full of shame and regret after shooting the elephant, even though in the moment it might have been the best option to kill the poor creature. Never tell me, by the way, that the dead look peaceful. The essay deals with the hatred Europeans earned ruling natives of Burma by force.
This evidence on the way he describes the two forces. If so, then you know that there are many obstacles to overcome throughout your life. And my whole life, every white man's life in the East, was one long struggle not to be laughed at. His stand is that imperialism is the most evil he has ever experienced. Or, to leave it be until it can be contained, by either animal control or the owner. At last, left with no alternative Orwell got down on the road and aimed at the elephant. As the area was under British rule, the police force was largely comprised of white men, such as Orwell.
Everyone at some point in life may or have already had to make a tough decision that may affect one's life for some time, maybe even forever. Orwell wins the sympathy of readers by expressing the stress he feels as an Anglo-Indian in Burma, struggling with his morals, and showing a way of compassion for the dying animal. The narrator introduces himself as a British officer assigned to a post in Burma. Kim is set in an imperialistic world; a world strikingly masculine, dominated by travel, trade and adventure, a world in which there is no question of the division between white and non-white. Related Essays: Term Paper … Shooting an Elephant George Orwell's hatred for English imperialism was one of the main themes of his story, 'Shooting an elephant'. Moving into the middle phase, behavior becomes even more aggressive, discharge flows more freely and gains an odor, and the elephant may begin to lose its appetite.
I turned to some experienced-looking Burmans who had been there when we arrived, and asked them how the elephant had been behaving. The British are described as evil, dirty, stinky, grey, convicts and scared whereas the man killed by the elephant is described as lying on his belly, wide-open eyes, arms crucified and grinning with an expression of unbearable agony. There's something wrong here. The story takes place in Burma, India where then, they were under British imperialism. From the prison cells to the bazaars outside in the town, the hatred for imperialist forces is evident.
