Imperialism: Imperialism and Elephant George Orwell Essay

Submitted By AdhamAbdelhameed
Words: 641
Pages: 3
Open Document
Adham Abdelhameed 2/26/13 Outline
Intro:
Throughout history, the Western world employed imperialism to exploit the indigenous populations of underdeveloped nations. In the beginning of the 19th century, Europeans saw their chance to expand their dominion over the world under the nationalistic impression that they were of “master race.” Ideally, imperialism is an opportunistic window for the subjugated peoples to learn from their subjugators. As John Stuart Mill suggested in his piece, “A Few Words on Non-Intervention,” there has to be certain “reciprocity” for imperialism to succeed and benefit humanity as a whole. Such a reciprocal relationship between oppressor and subject is not possible and it contradicts the true nature of imperialism.
Thesis: In actuality, the theory of imperialism is a paradox, it is all one large contradiction; imperialism is un-mutual, immoral and self-destructive.

Paragraph I: Address flaws with the theory presented by Mill- no reciprocity
Point 1: Mill’s idea of reciprocity is completely hypothetical.
Point 2: Fanon tells us the reality of the situation:
From Fanon: “The zone where the natives live is not complementary to the zone inhabited by the settlers. The two zones are opposed, but not in the service of higher unity... No conciliation is possible, for of the two terms one is superfluous.” Paragraph II: Theory in context vs. Theory in practice the issue of morality Mill said that exploiting a civilization for ones one good is unwarranted. “He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so because it will make him happier, because, in the opinions of others, to do so would be wise.” Consider William’s letter to King Leopold Williams: The flaw with Mills’ theory relative to the events in Williams’ letter is that Mills assumes the morality of the imperialist. Leopold promised the Congo would benefit but failed to uphold his responsibilities as a leader. Mill said that the imperialists were responsible for the well being of the colonized, but again we see Mills theory fails in practice. Consider Orwell’s Shooting an Elephant George Orwell was “disgusted by the inhumanity of colonial rule that he witnessed while stationed in Burma” (2835 Longman Anthology).

Obviously, Orwell agrees that imperialism fails in practice, just as it did in Leopold’s case. In shooting an elephant, the narrator is faced with an internal conflict that is symbolic of the nature of imperialism. No matter which road the narrator takes, he reaches a dead end. He has to uphold
Show More

Related Documents: Imperialism: Imperialism and Elephant George Orwell Essay

George Orwell Imperialism

INTRO: The British Empire showed power of imperialism. George Orwell explains in “Shooting an Elephant” the role of imperialism which effected British Empire. Throughout the essay, Orwell claims his prospective on the British Empire and the actions taken over Burma. He experiences going against his own dilemma of humanity and giving into the mockery of the Burmese people. Orwell served as a police officer for five years. He was suffering from the high demands of authority. His character is presented…

Words 740 - Pages 3

George Orwell Paints The Elephant Language Analysis

standards of imperialism, George Orwell effectively employs a variety of rhetorical strategies including figurative language, and Aristotelian appeals to highlight that colonial law is detrimental to both the persecutor and the persecuted. To begin, in order to justify his argument and allow readers to closely analyze his averse towards imperialism and its degradation individuality, George Orwell utilizes figurative language. Over the course of his essay, Orwell paints the elephant as metaphor for…

Words 795 - Pages 4

Shooting An Elephant Imperialism Analysis

How George Orwell Reveals the Darker Side of Imperialism in “Shooting an Elephant” From the sixteenth to the twentieth century, imperialism played a large role in shaping human history, and only seven decades ago it began to decline. Once the world started to become more connected and people became educated on the true nature of imperialism, humankind began to realize the futility of it all. In the short story, “Shooting an Elephant”, the author, George Orwell, conveys that imperialism ultimately…

Words 272 - Pages 2

George Orwell Illustrative Diction

George Orwell’s illustrative diction communicates his message that imperialism creates self-hatred through quotes such as “... I was stuck between my hatred of the empire … and my rage against the [Burmese] …” and “... with the magical rifle in my hands I was momentarily worth watching.” I came to learn this message through the informative Socratic seminar that was held on February 2, 2016. Dr.Lemco participated greatly in the seminar and contributed to the learning process quite a bit. Dr.Lemco…

Words 447 - Pages 2

Imperialism In George Orwell's Shooting An Elephant

The True Nature of Imperialism Summary In Shooting An Elephant, written in 1936, George Orwell tells about his experience of imperialism when he was once confronted with a conflicting task of deciding to kill an elephant or to leave it peacefully. It all began when he was on duty as a sub-divisional police in Burma and he got a call telling about a tame elephant who had escaped its home. As Orwell was told the elephant went through the bazaar ravaging everything it saw in its path. Upon seeing a…

Words 1048 - Pages 5

Imperialism In Shooting An Elephant

are completely incapable of helping themselves.After reading "Shooting An Elephant", by the fascinating George Orwell, many things caught my attention. The main focus point for me was the theme of Imperialism. Throughout the story Orwell gives many signs that he is against it and sees it as an unjust act. Looking at Orwell's side of things I completely agree. Imperialism is evil. I feel through Orwell's symbolism imperialism humiliates the occupied people. It seemingly lowers the people to a level…

Words 482 - Pages 2

Shooting An Elephant Rhetorical Analysis

to shoot the elephant after all. The people expected it of me and I had got to do it; I could feel their two thousand wills pressing me forward, irresistibly” (4). The presumption that a ruler has absolute power over the people is proven as invalid once the ruler is dictated by the wills of the commonalty. Because of this shift in power, the speaker recognizes how a tyrant does not always have control over the masses. In “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell reveals that imperialism destroys he…

Words 1135 - Pages 5

Shooting An Elephant Tone

Tone of Shooting an Elephant George Orwell is the author of Shooting an Elephant. He writes about being a subdivisional police officer in Moulmein, Burma. The villagers harass him, and the other police officers constantly. He oppresses the British empire he serves, which is contradicting because the villagers oppress the empire also. So you'd think with him being on the same side as the villagers, maybe they wouldn't hate him as much? One day, George is informed of an Elephant in must that needs…

Words 759 - Pages 4

George Orwell: A Literary Genius

Composition December 11, 2011 Instructor: Prof. Daniel Linker George Orwell: A Literary Genius Eric Arthur Blair, commonly known as George Orwell was born in India in 1903. His father was a minor British official. Throughout Orwell’s childhood he felt a deep sense of isolation, a factor that later influenced his writing. He attended St. Cyprian’s preparatory school and, later, Eton College. Having completed his education, Orwell then served as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Burma between…

Words 2101 - Pages 9

Similarities Between Shooting An Elephant And The Giver

In the short story “Shooting an Elephant”, by George Orwell, he describes a very important and challenging incident that occurs in his life. After an elephant comes to a village in Burma and destroys much of the town and kills a man, George has to decide whether to wait for the elephant’s owner to come and settle down the animal or to shoot and kill the elephant in front of thousands of Burmans in order to avoid possibly more destruction or deaths. In the novel “The Giver”, written by Lois Lowry…

Words 1153 - Pages 5