In the essay “Shooting an Elephant” George Orwell experiences first hand the oppression that imperialism opposes on the Burmese people. Orwell’s symbolism of the hunting rifle, elephant, and the collie are used to represent the evils of British imperialism.
Orwell's use of the hunting rifle to symbolize the intensity of peer pressure,k the power, and control the British had over the Burmese people. Orwell emphasises to the reader that he “had no intention of shooting the elephant.” (pg. 326) He also says “it is unnerving to have a crowd following you.” (pg.326) Orwell illustrates pressure he already feels while going to first encounter the elephant. The rifle also represents the power the British had over the Burmese people. The Burmese population “had no weapons and were quite helpless.” (pg. 324) Orwell emphasis the helplessness of the people and the control that the British held over them. The pressure he felt to help the oppressed people was a main factor in his final decision to shoot the elephant.
The elephant is used to symbolize the oppressed Burmese people and how they react when they are taken over and “chained up” Much like …show more content…
Orwell's use of the coolie is used to demonstrate the ultimate sacrifice. His Biblical allusion “ He was lying on his belly with arms crucified and sharply twisted to one side“ (pg. 325 ) demonstrates to the reader his life was the sacrifice and without his sacrifice Orwell's shooting of the elephant wouldn't have been legally in the right. Orwell alludes to the reader how “ afterwords I was very glad that the coolie had been killed; It put me legally in the right and it gave me a sufficient pretext for shooting the elephant.“ (pg. 330 ) He expresses his relief that he was killed so he could use his death as his excuse for the death of the elephant. The helplessness of the people is shown through their lack of weapons and defense against the
Orwell's use of the hunting rifle to symbolize the intensity of peer pressure,k the power, and control the British had over the Burmese people. Orwell emphasises to the reader that he “had no intention of shooting the elephant.” (pg. 326) He also says “it is unnerving to have a crowd following you.” (pg.326) Orwell illustrates pressure he already feels while going to first encounter the elephant. The rifle also represents the power the British had over the Burmese people. The Burmese population “had no weapons and were quite helpless.” (pg. 324) Orwell emphasis the helplessness of the people and the control that the British held over them. The pressure he felt to help the oppressed people was a main factor in his final decision to shoot the elephant.
The elephant is used to symbolize the oppressed Burmese people and how they react when they are taken over and “chained up” Much like …show more content…
Orwell's use of the coolie is used to demonstrate the ultimate sacrifice. His Biblical allusion “ He was lying on his belly with arms crucified and sharply twisted to one side“ (pg. 325 ) demonstrates to the reader his life was the sacrifice and without his sacrifice Orwell's shooting of the elephant wouldn't have been legally in the right. Orwell alludes to the reader how “ afterwords I was very glad that the coolie had been killed; It put me legally in the right and it gave me a sufficient pretext for shooting the elephant.“ (pg. 330 ) He expresses his relief that he was killed so he could use his death as his excuse for the death of the elephant. The helplessness of the people is shown through their lack of weapons and defense against the