Shooting an Elephant

How bad was imperialism in Moulmein in 1920s? What was the relationship between

Orwell and the Burmese? In "Shooting an Elephant," George Orwell presents a story, which

he reluctantly but practically killed an elephant. Orwell was a British police officer who always

teased by the Burmese. The Burmese see him as a representative of the British, and the

Burmese fail to realize Orwell simultaneously opposes English occupation of Burma too. One

day, Orwell was called to investigate an accident in the marketplace, where a rampant elephant

ran uncontrollably to destroy a marketplace. Orwell borrowed a rifle, which could shoot down

an elephant, from his friend. He hoped not to kill the beast because he thought killing a working

elephant was a hideous shame. However, Orwell was forced by the crowd to kill an elephant

at the end. The author listened to them because he did not want to be laughed at. In Orwell's

story, the aggressive elephant was symbolized as the powerful British Empire. An elephant was

important in the essay because the beast showed the evil side of imperialism.

When an elephant demolished the marketplace, Orwell symbolized the British Empire

pillaging the economy of Burma. Orwell clearly presents his dislike with colonial Britain by

saying "imperialism was an evil thing" (313). Imperialism puts down the occupied people by

lowering their social status in their own country. Also, imperialism stimulates the occupier to

make immoral decision to maintain their superior status. For example, Orwell acts against his

own principles to prevent looking a fool by killing an elephant. When British colonize Burma,

occupier restricts the freedom of natives. Orwell realizes he should allow the elephant to live.

Even though he holds a weapon, it is not Orwell's wish to shoot an elephant. However, due

to the crowds' expectation, he realizes that he must kill the elephant. Likewise, he was forced

to impose the strict law, but he demonstrates his feeling against it because he knows he is

forfeiting his freedom while oppressing the Burmese.