Imperialism In George Orwell's Shooting An Elephant

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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 dead coolie that the elephant had viciously killed along its way, Orwell knew he should do something and orders himself an elephant rifle. Then, since nearly all the people from the bazaar started following him as he hunted down the elephant, Orwell began to feel the people’s …show more content…
His testimony is not only accurate, but also relevant to the events occurring during his time period and the problems that he and many others could have faced. Throughout Orwell’s story, he mentions the elephant numerous times. Both Orwell and the elephant are the central characters in this story with the Burmese population and the dead Dravidian coolie being the minor characters. The connection between him and the elephant can be closely related to that of imperialism. Because this story was written in 1950 when Britain raped numerous lands, Burma was already held by Britain and this whole story is told through the eyes of Orwell and revolves with his thoughts towards tyranny. Plenty of times Orwell also uses negative connotation like evil, bitter, agony, and desperate. All this signifies his conflict and hatred towards the British rule and his insecurity in its environment, although he clearly represents them. In this case, the elephant can be perceived as a symbol of India, since it is their working animal, and Orwell can

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Imperialism In Shooting An Elephant

people who 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…

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Shooting An Elephant Symbolism Essay

Symbolically, ‘Shooting an Elephant’ by English novelist George Orwell, can come about a person's heart in many ways. When reading this story, many fail to realize Orwell's use of symbols through his experience contributed by the evils of imperialism. The elephant, the Burmese people, Orwell himself were three major symbols in ‘Shooting An Elephant’ used in order for readers to understand his veil message. When the elephant was first introduced, he symbolized a large power. As Orwell stated, “The…

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Analysis of George Orwell's 'Shooting an Elephant' Essay

Technique Analysis of ‘Shooting an elephant’ Written by George Orwell Essay by Arthur Diennet In 1936, George Orwell published his short story ‘Shooting an elephant’ in an English magazine. Since then, it has been republished dozens of times and holds a place as a definitive anti-colonial piece of literature, in an era where the British Empire was at its peak and covered almost 1/3 of the Earth’s surface. George Orwell believed that “…imperialism was an evil thing...” and uses much themes…

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m2 A5 Essay

The choices one is constrained to make can have long-lasting effects. In “Shooting an Elephant,” written by George Orwell, writes a short story about a past event from his life when he had chosen against his conscience while serving as a British police officer in Burma. Orwell’s misery, moral dilemmas, and his pride prevents him from feeling satisfied and fulfilled with his life. Being apart of British imperialism that Orwell hated, along side of his job, and the hatred towards the Burmese…

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Rhetorical Analysis Of Shooting An Elephant By George Orwell

George Orwell’s, “Shooting an Elephant” is a well written essay that clearly portrays Orwell’s attitude toward himself and his position in Burma. In the first two paragraphs specifically, George Orwell uses various forms and methods of writing strategies in an effort to achieve this. Diction, usage of irony, and the usage of qualifications are all techniques that Orwell included and designed in an effort to convey his feelings for himself and his position in Burma. George Orwell used diction to…

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Shooting An Elephant Tone

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George Orwell Imperialism

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Summary Of Shooting An Elephant By George Orwell

Summary of “Shooting an Elephant” The narrator of “Shooting an Elephant”, George Orwell, works as a sub-divisional police officer in the British colony. He was often besieged because he was European. However, the citizens always kept their distance. Even though the townspeople loathed him, he felt that imperialism was malicious. He once stated that he was cheering for the Burmese against the British. Despite Orwell’s obvious disgust at the European’s actions, he still wanted to kill a Buddhist priest…

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Examples Of Foreshadowing In Shooting An Elephant By George Orwell

both groups. Pitying the Burmese, who were controlled by the British, yet angered for having to endure continuous harassment by the natives. And being forced to support the British in their efforts of imperialism, yet secretly feeling opposition towards their cause. In “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell, these feelings toward both groups were conveyed through the use of derogatory diction, irony, antithesis, and sympathetic portrayal. These feelings toward the British and Burmese were also an…

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