Orwell and Kipling
During the time of British imperialism in India, George Orwell and Rudyard Kipling depicted the effects of British colonization through their writings. Kipling and Orwell were both born in India and educated in England. Despite their similar backgrounds, each author portrayed colonialism differently. Kipling wrote a fiction short story about a man named Strickland, an English policeman, who is fascinated by Indian culture and is determined to learn more. He falls in love and gives up his search for Indian culture. On the other hand, Orwell wrote a nonfiction short story about himself as an English policeman. In the story, Orwell is faced with a duty to kill an innocent elephant, which he is conflicted about. Although …show more content…
Their difference of opinion shown through their tone, setting, and conflicts.
Orwell and Kipling both spoke in unique tones throughout their short stories which portrayed the effects of British colonization from their standpoint. In “Shooting an Elephant” Orwell speaks negatively throughout the entire story. He dislikes the Indians but dislikes his position as an English police officer as well. In the story, Orwell stated that "All I knew was that I was stuck between my hatred for the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beasts who tried to make my job impossible” (PAGE NUMBER). He despised the fact that he was required to kill and torture as a part of his job. He also resented the fact that he was hated for his label as an English officer over the Indians. Orwell states his dislike for the rulers and disappointment of the Burmese’s few riots; "...in an anime less petty kind of way anti European feeling was very bitter. No one had the guts to raise a riot”(PAGE NUMBER). Unlike Orwell, Kipling’s tone in his short story is neutral. Kipling tellS a fictional …show more content…
Orwell’s main conflict was whether he should shoot the domesticated elephant or not. In the beginning of the story, Orwell stated that "I had no intention of shooting the elephant I merely sent the riffle to protect myself”(PAGE NUMBER). This quote shows Orwell’s reluctantness to shoot the elephant. Orwell faces an inner conflict with the shooting because he is aware if he does not comply, he will be viewed as weak. He then realizes the true meaning of imperialism, who he must be; "He wears a mask and his face grows to fit it”(PAGE NUMBER) Orwell also realizes that “when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys”(PAGE NU,BER). This quote proves that the moment Orwell accepted the gun, he committed to killing the elephant. Orwell concludes that even though colonialism looks logical the true incentive to be savages is their insecurity. Meanwhile, in “Miss Youghal’s Sais” Strickland’s main conflict is his denied access to his love due to his terrible repuatation. Since he has a reputation of being strange from disguising himself as the Indians, Miss Youghal’s parents banned him from seeing their daughter. Strickland then disguises himself as her sais, and gains Miss Youghals mom’s love. When the General came and flirted with her, Strickland reveals himself and the General finds the situation funny. After the encounter, the General puts in a
During the time of British imperialism in India, George Orwell and Rudyard Kipling depicted the effects of British colonization through their writings. Kipling and Orwell were both born in India and educated in England. Despite their similar backgrounds, each author portrayed colonialism differently. Kipling wrote a fiction short story about a man named Strickland, an English policeman, who is fascinated by Indian culture and is determined to learn more. He falls in love and gives up his search for Indian culture. On the other hand, Orwell wrote a nonfiction short story about himself as an English policeman. In the story, Orwell is faced with a duty to kill an innocent elephant, which he is conflicted about. Although …show more content…
Their difference of opinion shown through their tone, setting, and conflicts.
Orwell and Kipling both spoke in unique tones throughout their short stories which portrayed the effects of British colonization from their standpoint. In “Shooting an Elephant” Orwell speaks negatively throughout the entire story. He dislikes the Indians but dislikes his position as an English police officer as well. In the story, Orwell stated that "All I knew was that I was stuck between my hatred for the empire I served and my rage against the evil-spirited little beasts who tried to make my job impossible” (PAGE NUMBER). He despised the fact that he was required to kill and torture as a part of his job. He also resented the fact that he was hated for his label as an English officer over the Indians. Orwell states his dislike for the rulers and disappointment of the Burmese’s few riots; "...in an anime less petty kind of way anti European feeling was very bitter. No one had the guts to raise a riot”(PAGE NUMBER). Unlike Orwell, Kipling’s tone in his short story is neutral. Kipling tellS a fictional …show more content…
Orwell’s main conflict was whether he should shoot the domesticated elephant or not. In the beginning of the story, Orwell stated that "I had no intention of shooting the elephant I merely sent the riffle to protect myself”(PAGE NUMBER). This quote shows Orwell’s reluctantness to shoot the elephant. Orwell faces an inner conflict with the shooting because he is aware if he does not comply, he will be viewed as weak. He then realizes the true meaning of imperialism, who he must be; "He wears a mask and his face grows to fit it”(PAGE NUMBER) Orwell also realizes that “when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys”(PAGE NU,BER). This quote proves that the moment Orwell accepted the gun, he committed to killing the elephant. Orwell concludes that even though colonialism looks logical the true incentive to be savages is their insecurity. Meanwhile, in “Miss Youghal’s Sais” Strickland’s main conflict is his denied access to his love due to his terrible repuatation. Since he has a reputation of being strange from disguising himself as the Indians, Miss Youghal’s parents banned him from seeing their daughter. Strickland then disguises himself as her sais, and gains Miss Youghals mom’s love. When the General came and flirted with her, Strickland reveals himself and the General finds the situation funny. After the encounter, the General puts in a