The ultimate goal of imperialism is control, however, control is not always positive. In George Orwell’s short story “Shooting an Elephant,” the effects of imperialism are explained. imperialism causes repercussions on the respect and morality of, not only the people of Burma, but also the people of the imperial power. Imperialism causes an anti-Europeans sentiment, which leads to resentment by the oppressed, and also causes the oppressors to be imprisoned by the system of imperialism, which leads to guilt and the need to prove themselves among the oppressed.
Imperialism results in resentment. The anti-European feeling is obviously prevalent in Burma, yet no one raises a riot because the Europeans are in control. “No one had the guts to raise …show more content…
The elephant rages through the streets and markets, destroying whatever he wants and stomping on the Burmese people that try to calm him. Yet, Orwell, who has to kill him in the end, can only tame the elephant. This metaphor shows the great strength but also the great weakness of Imperialism in Burma. There is irony in the metaphor of the elephant. He is so violent, yet so peaceful in his death. The people are so fearful of him in his rage and power, yet when he shows one moment of weakness, the Burmese people pounce on him and rip out his insides. “Burmese were bringing were bringing dash and baskets before I left, and I was told they stripped his body almost to the bones by the afternoon.” (page four) The fact that Orwell has to kill the elephant shows the ultimate effect of imperialism. He has been fed up with British imperialism, but kills the elephant only after feeling the pressures of the Burmese people. “I often wondered whether any of the others grasped that I had done it solely to avoid looking a fool.” (page five) This shows how Britain will eventually have to tear down their own imperial regime after feeling internal pressure from its officers. The metaphor of the elephant allows the reader to see that the oppressors are imprisoned by the system, in that if they show one moment of weakness the oppressed themselves will pounce on the opportunity to get revenge. The guilt Orwell felt and the pressure from the
Imperialism results in resentment. The anti-European feeling is obviously prevalent in Burma, yet no one raises a riot because the Europeans are in control. “No one had the guts to raise …show more content…
The elephant rages through the streets and markets, destroying whatever he wants and stomping on the Burmese people that try to calm him. Yet, Orwell, who has to kill him in the end, can only tame the elephant. This metaphor shows the great strength but also the great weakness of Imperialism in Burma. There is irony in the metaphor of the elephant. He is so violent, yet so peaceful in his death. The people are so fearful of him in his rage and power, yet when he shows one moment of weakness, the Burmese people pounce on him and rip out his insides. “Burmese were bringing were bringing dash and baskets before I left, and I was told they stripped his body almost to the bones by the afternoon.” (page four) The fact that Orwell has to kill the elephant shows the ultimate effect of imperialism. He has been fed up with British imperialism, but kills the elephant only after feeling the pressures of the Burmese people. “I often wondered whether any of the others grasped that I had done it solely to avoid looking a fool.” (page five) This shows how Britain will eventually have to tear down their own imperial regime after feeling internal pressure from its officers. The metaphor of the elephant allows the reader to see that the oppressors are imprisoned by the system, in that if they show one moment of weakness the oppressed themselves will pounce on the opportunity to get revenge. The guilt Orwell felt and the pressure from the