George Orwell Confronts British Imperialism
In “Shooting an Elephant”, George Orwell first reveals his opposition to the imperialism, then he uses parallel between the British Empire and a Burmese elephant to convey a message about imperialism: although imperialism is justified by the European Empire, in actuality, its nature is horrendous, and it is the British Empire that has destroyed its own freedoms.
At the very beginning of his essay, Orwell brings up his point of view towards British imperialism. He claims that “imperialism was an evil thing” (Orwell 144) and he is against the invaders, the British. The fact, that he can’t wait to get out of his job, opens up a clear understanding of Orwell’s position towards British Empire politics. Even though he is a British officer, Orwell feels guilty for his country before “the evil-spirited little beasts” (145), the Burma people. Author keeps struggling with this conflict throughout the story until the elephant appears. And the incident with the elephant gives him “a better glimpse … of the real nature of imperialism” …show more content…
Shooting the elephant means that Orwell for the first time in his job chooses to stand on the side of the natives by his action. “And it was at this moment, as I stood there with the riffle in my hands, that I first grasped the hollowness, the futility of the white man’s dominion in the East” (Orwell 148). Orwell's decision to shoot an elephant is not his choice. It is the desire of the Burmese people, and it makes him to ignore his inner voice and shoot the elephant. In the country where the power was essentially in the British Empire hands, where he, as the representative of his country and the officer in charge, has to control everything, Orwell doesn’t even have his own freedom. He must do what he does not want to do. He constantly mentions that he does not want to shoot the elephant, since he is no longer dangerous for
In “Shooting an Elephant”, George Orwell first reveals his opposition to the imperialism, then he uses parallel between the British Empire and a Burmese elephant to convey a message about imperialism: although imperialism is justified by the European Empire, in actuality, its nature is horrendous, and it is the British Empire that has destroyed its own freedoms.
At the very beginning of his essay, Orwell brings up his point of view towards British imperialism. He claims that “imperialism was an evil thing” (Orwell 144) and he is against the invaders, the British. The fact, that he can’t wait to get out of his job, opens up a clear understanding of Orwell’s position towards British Empire politics. Even though he is a British officer, Orwell feels guilty for his country before “the evil-spirited little beasts” (145), the Burma people. Author keeps struggling with this conflict throughout the story until the elephant appears. And the incident with the elephant gives him “a better glimpse … of the real nature of imperialism” …show more content…
Shooting the elephant means that Orwell for the first time in his job chooses to stand on the side of the natives by his action. “And it was at this moment, as I stood there with the riffle in my hands, that I first grasped the hollowness, the futility of the white man’s dominion in the East” (Orwell 148). Orwell's decision to shoot an elephant is not his choice. It is the desire of the Burmese people, and it makes him to ignore his inner voice and shoot the elephant. In the country where the power was essentially in the British Empire hands, where he, as the representative of his country and the officer in charge, has to control everything, Orwell doesn’t even have his own freedom. He must do what he does not want to do. He constantly mentions that he does not want to shoot the elephant, since he is no longer dangerous for