What Is The Use Of Peer Pressure In George Orwell's Shooting An Elephant

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It is human nature for someone to try to fit in with other peers and try to please those around them; this is called peer pressure. Peer pressure is something that affects almost everybody at least once in their life time. In “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell, the protagonist of the story alters not only his opinion but his actions as he tries to please those around him.
In the beginning of the story, Orwell makes a strong stand about how the elephant is not a wild one but rather a tamed one who has broken free from its chains giving the readers an image of it exploring the new found land that it has never set foot upon. Orwell makes it clear that he has no intentions of killing the elephant right from the get-go, “I had no intention …show more content…
He knows that he needs to please the crowd and gives into peer pressure only making him mortal and like every other human. “There was only one alternative. I shoved the cartridges into the magazine and lay down on the road to get a better aim. The crowd grew very still, and a deep, low, happy sigh, as of people who see the theatre curtain go up at last, breathed from innumerable throats. They were going to have their bit of fun after all”. This quote is the point where Orwell’s mindset completely changes and wants to give the audience a show. He feels the pressure of the thousands of people who came to see him kill the elephant and doesn’t want to be laughed at or ridiculed for not being tough enough to kill the elephant. In the beginning of the story Orwell has no intention of harming the elephant, but as the crowd gets bigger and more impatient, he feels the pressure and gives into their demands. As all humans fall short and give into peer pressure, Orwell is no different. Orwell shows the side of

humans that most won’t admit; the side of trying to fit in because they are afraid of the opinion
of
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