In 1936‚ author George Orwell wrote an essay titled “Shooting an Elephant”. In the essay Orwell describes a scene of a British police officer who is stuck between having to shoot an elephant. The story takes place in Burma‚ India where then‚ they were under British imperialism. Imperialism is a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force. It humiliates the occupied people‚ reducing them to an inferior status in their own country. Analyzing Orwell’s work
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Abstract The present study looks at an important political essay “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell. The literary critics gave the text wide recognition and appreciation. It depicts Orwell’s anti-imperialistic view which is presented through the shooting of an elephant. The theme is presented in a fantastic way and this is evident from Orwell’s use of lexis‚ syntax‚ cohesive ties‚ point of view‚ and figures of speech. A closer look at the experiences he had gone indicate that his sentiment
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Reflection on “Shooting an Elephant” “I was hated by… people” and “the only time…been important enough” are words that jump out at me revealing Orwell’s low self-esteem and low self-worth. His essay describes the events that turn his luck enabling him to feel a pseudo-sense of control and authority over the Burmese. Opportunity presents itself in the form of an elephant running amok‚ leaving a trail of destruction and death behind. Unfortunately he gives in to pressure exerted by the locals and does
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Orwell writes Shooting an Elephant with his experiences in Burma; so story is in Burma‚ Myanmar. Both Orwell uses his own experiences in past and he lives in the significant era of British in history‚ we see high rise at historical background in the story. Orwell prefers to indirect way to express his emotions using symbols. One of the main symbols is an elephant. The elephant symbolizes British Empire. The reason that Orwell chooses the elephant‚ the empire is powerful like an elephant. When it dies
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In the beginning of his essay he was against shooting the elephant. Once he saw the opportunity of acceptance‚ he decided to take action towards the elephant. Throughout this essay the author doubts himself. He feels a sense of guilt towards the end of the essay. Orwell had three perspective in this essay guilt‚ doubtful‚ and acceptance. In this situation acceptance took over his feelings‚ and this is why Orwell was not justified in shooting the elephant. In the beginning of the essay the author said
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In Shooting an Elephant‚ George Orwell explores the ideology of imperialism. Throughout the essay it is established that Orwell is not in favor of imperialism. By using an officer from the British empire as the narrator‚ Orwell uses the officer to show the evils of imperialism on not only the Burmese but also on the enforcers. Orwell develops his argument against British imperialism through his use of rhetorical strategies such as symbolism‚ similes/metaphors‚ and imagery. One rhetorical strategy
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his main purpose(s) in shooting the elephant? Both the one he uses to justify his decision and his real
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"How to shoot an elephant" and "Empty Seat" caparisons In "Shooting an Elephant" The main characters biggest conflict was to shoot an elephant. This was something he did not and typically under the circumstances would not have done‚ but felt compelled and pressured to do so. If it weren’t for the watching Indians this story may have turned out differently. He felt as if he had to do it‚ cause by not doing it would have been like him demonstrating his and his native country weakness. Being in a
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The short story‚ “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell‚ tells his story of an encounter with a loose elephant. He struggled through a dilemma in which he were to kill the elephant‚ or let it be. Politically‚ George Orwell was against an imperialistic run government‚ and used his writings to portray the many negatives he saw through imperialism. In the story‚ the elephant is a metaphor of imperialism‚ and its effects on the people. The actions of the elephant and the reactions of the civilians
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True Feelings In "Shooting an Elephant" written in 1936‚ George Orwell comes off as being a racist and a coward. I believe that he is not a coward. After reading the narration‚ you must picture yourself during that time in Burma. In the hunt for natural resources the British forced themselves upon the people of Burma. This caused great tension and hate against any whites‚ Especially the Burman priests who”...none of them seemed to have anything to do except stand on street corners and jeer at Europeans
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