What is the analysis of Shooting an Elephant?
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‘Shooting an Elephant’ is a 1936 essay by George Orwell (1903-50), about his time as a young policeman in Burma, which was then part of the British empire. The essay explores an apparent paradox about the behaviour of Europeans, who supposedly have the power over their colonial subjects.
What is the main theme of Shooting an Elephant?
The main themes of “Shooting an Elephant” include conscience, culture clash, and order and disorder. Conscience: In the essay, colonial law contrasts with the conscience of the narrator both in his killing of the elephant and his treatment of the Burmese.
How did Orwell justify the shooting of the elephant question answer?
Answer: Orwell shoots the elephant for the sake of holding up the white man’s image, not for the reason of safety. The flaws in imperialism begin to emerge when the elephant dies for this selfish reason.
What is the author’s main purpose for writing the reflective essay Shooting an Elephant?
To educate people on how they can help stop the decline of the language.
What did the elephant symbolize in Shooting an Elephant?
The elephant is the central symbol of the story. Orwell uses it to represent the effect of colonialism on both the colonizer and the colonized. The elephant, like a colonized populace, has its liberty restricted, and it becomes violently rebellious only as a response to being shackled.
Which statement best captures the author’s point of view in Shooting an Elephant?
Which statement best captures the author’s point of view in the narrative essay? First person point of view allows the author to describe the motivations of people in positions of authority. First person point of view allows the author to describe how people can recognize the value of all living creatures.
What does Shooting an Elephant reveal about imperialism?
The shooting of the elephant in the incident that reveals that imperialism inflicts damage on both parties in an imperialistic relationship. The British officer, Orwell, displays many aspects of the being the “absurd puppet” under the institution of imperialism.
What is Orwell’s inner conflict in Shooting an Elephant?
This story deals with the internal conflict between his personal morals and his duty to his country but more importantly, his duty to uphold the reputation of the white man in a foreign land . Orwell’s decision to kill the elephant is a direct result of imperialism.
What does the crowd represent in Shooting an Elephant?
Orwell uses it to represent the effect of colonialism on both the colonizer and the colonized. The elephant, like a colonized populace, has its liberty restricted, and it becomes violently rebellious only as a response to being shackled.
Do you think shooting the elephant was justified in the essay?
While the bizarre logic of colonialism justifies the killing of the elephant, the narrator clearly is deeply bothered by his act and finds it unjustified. He does it to save face, because otherwise the Burmese villagers who follow him would laugh at him.
What is the tone used in the essay Shooting an Elephant?
1 Answers. There is a tone of frustration and resignation in Orwell’s essay. He really does not want to shoot this elephant but he must. He is a reluctant symbol of imperialism and control over another culture.
What is Orwell saying about colonialism in on Shooting an Elephant?
He writes that the encounter with the elephant gave him insight into “the real motives for which despotic governments act.” Killing the elephant as it peacefully eats grass is indisputably an act of barbarism—one that symbolizes the barbarity of colonialism as a whole.