Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Evil Of Imperialism In George Orwells Shooting An...

Shooting An Elephant In George Orwell’s narrative, â€Å"Shooting An Elephant,† Orwell recreates his experience as a soldier trying to end imperialism in the country of Burma by shooting an elephant. George Orwell recreates this experience of imperialism being evil through the use of literary devices. Orwell opens his essay by reflecting upon the evil of British imperialism before shooting the elephant. Orwell’s hatred for imperialism is exemplified when he mentions â€Å"was hated by large numbers of people,† revealing that the British were outnumbered by the Burmese even though the British were in charge. Another detail that helps illustrate his hatred for imperialism is when he mentions â€Å"no one had the guts to raise a riot.† This shows that†¦show more content†¦Orwell expresses the evil of British imperialism; this evil imperialism is continued from before shooting the elephant to him hunting the elephant. Orwell illustrates, again, the evil of imperialism, this time while he goes to hunt the elephant. The evil of imperialism is exemplified when he mentions â€Å"despotic governments† showing that they have complete control and power. Additionally, when he discusses the â€Å"bazaar† it helps symbolize the Burmese economy. The â€Å"elephant had suddenly reappeared in the town† and â€Å"the Burmese population had no weapons† helps symbolize the elephant being the British empire is stronger compared to the Burmese. Another detail that helps illustrate the evil of imperialism is when he mentions that the British had â€Å"destroyed somebodys bamboo hut, killed a cow and raided some fruit-stalls† showing that the British will do anything from burning villages to oppressing natural resources to colonize the country of Burma. Orwell continues by mentioning â€Å"mans dead body sprawling in the mud† which symbolizes the Burmese that have been oppres sed. In addition, oppression is symbolized when Orwell mentions â€Å"put its foot on his back and ground him into the earth† showing the poverty the Burmese have to suffer through. Orwell’s use of the word â€Å"crucified† helps reveal the virtuousShow MoreRelated George Orwells Shooting an Elephant as an Attack on Colonialism and Imperialism842 Words   |  4 PagesGeorge Orwells Shooting an Elephant as an Attack on Colonialism and Imperialism    The glorious days of the imperial giants have passed, marking the death of the infamous and grandiose era of imperialism. George Orwells essay, Shooting an Elephant, deals with the evils of imperialism. The unjust shooting of an elephant in Orwells story is the central focus from which Orwell builds his argument through the two dominant characters, the elephant and its executioner. The British officer, theRead MoreThemes InShooting An Elephant, By George Orwell840 Words   |  4 PagesThe Elephant has been Shot Recently I have read the essay â€Å"Shooting an Elephant† by George Orwell. The essay consists of Orwell reliving his younger years, when he was a Colonial police officer in Burma for the British Empire. He further describes the local’s disdain for European presence, him included. A constant theme that appears in the essay is roundabouts or contradictions; an example being Orwell claiming he hates imperialism, yet ironically works as an imperialist cop rather than quitRead MoreEssay on Imperialism: Shooting an Elephant635 Words   |  3 PagesIn George Orwells â€Å"Shooting an Elephant,† deals with the evil side of imperialism. The shooting of the elephant in Orwells story is the central focus from which Orwell builds his argument through the two dominant characters, the elephant and the British officer. The British officer, acts as a symbol of the imperial country and the elephant is the victim of imperialism. Together, the solider and the elephant turns this into an attack on the evils of imperialism. The shooting of the elephant showsRead MoreCritical Analysis Of Shooting An Elephant1165 Words   |  5 PagesIn George Orwell’s story ‘Shooting an Elephant’, insight is given into the life of an oppressor in the British Empire. Orwell, having undergone a significant personal experience, illustrates his experience of imperialism and the resounding effects is has on the ethical conduct and ideals of man, not only of the oppressed but also in regards of the oppressor. Orwell’s ‘Shooting an Elephant’ attempts to convey the sacrifice of one’s morality in service of imperialism. Through the spread of the BritishRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s Shooting An Elephant 1191 Words   |  5 Pagestwo hundred and fifty years and has experienced a civil war since World War II (DVB.no). In George Orwell’s essay â€Å"Shooting an Elephant† (SAE) he describes firsthand the effects of imperialism on the Burmese people and his disapproval of their actions. He established his disapproval of the Burmese with literary devices and his direct first-person narration. George Orwell deems his essay â€Å"Shooting an elephant† credible with instantly addressing the experiences of being a police officer. He presentedRead MoreShooting an Elephant938 Words   |  4 PagesGeorge Orwell’s â€Å"Shooting an Elephant† â€Å"Shooting an Elephant† is an essay written by George Orwell and published in 1936 (Orwell 66). Orwell was born June 25, 1903, as Eric Arthur Blair and passed away January 21, 1950, in India (â€Å"George Orwell Biography†). Orwell was known for his journals, novels, and essays published about his own political views (â€Å"George Orwell Biography†). Orwell traveled to Burma after not doing good enough in school to earn a scholarship and decided to join the imperialRead MoreGeorge Orwells Essay Showing Regret for Shooting an Elephant880 Words   |  4 PagesThis story is a representation of George Orwell’s perception of British imperialism around the world. It is a firsthand account of how imperialism affects both rulers and the oppressed using a short story. The author shows how imperialism is a prison to not only the Burmese, but also the British. The message can clearly be seen though Orwell’s regret in being forced to kill an elephant. The purpose of this essay is to explain Orwell’s true message of anti-imperialism using the nature of tyranny andRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s Shooting An Elephant 1232 Words   |  5 PagesEnglish 1301 02 December 2014 Shooting an Elephant In George Orwell’s essay â€Å"Shooting an Elephant†, Orwell recites a personal experience in which he shoots and kills an elephant while working as a British police officer in the British colony of Burma. While his actions were legally justifiable, Orwell describes his feelings of guilt for his true intentions and rationale for the killing, which he admits to himself as unnecessary and unjust. In slaying the elephant Orwell acts contrary to his ownRead MoreShades of a White Man1206 Words   |  5 Pagesperson’s life. George Orwell was born into a culture of white men, a culture that believes in dominance and superiority, a culture that steps on whoever stands in its way. Imperialism was that culture; the culture that Orwell was influenced by, and suffered from. From my perspective, I believe that even though George Orwell claimed that he was against the imperialist, British culture; â€Å"I was all for the Burmese and against their oppressors, the Britishâ €  (Orwell, Shooting an Elephant, par. 2), he wasRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s Orwell Shooting An Elephant 1189 Words   |  5 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Orwell’s Shooting an Elephant†: Effect of Imperialism in Burma Imperialism is a state of mind, fueled by the arrogance of superiority that could be adopted by any nation irrespective of its geographical location in the world. 1. Evidence of the existence of empires dates back to the dawn of written history in Egypt and in Mesopotamia, where local leaders extended their realms by conquering other states and holding them, when possible, in a state of subjection and semi

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.