Shooting an Elephant

Soapstone of “Shooting an Elephant”

Jared Shely

            Subject- The subject of George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” is imperialism, more specifically British imperialism.  The forming and running of empires is illustrated by Orwell’s personal experience of killing an elephant in Burma. This was shown through the principles of fear as well as role. Due to imperialism’s presence in Burma Orwell says he was forced to kill the elephant. If he didn’t he shamed himself, he would became something to be laughed at by the Burmese and it would be the same for all the white men. He was unable to take the rational decision for fear of mistake and as he clearly shows the elephant was just another casualty of imperialism.

Occasion- “Shooting an Elephant” was written during the period of British Imperialism. This can be assumed from the date on the article 1936 as well as the fact that the story he tells is set in Britain ruled Burma. The era of British Imperialism is illustrated through Orwell’s centralization around British Imperialism in the article. He also tells us he was a sheriff during Britain’s rule within Burma.

The probable creation of this article was England. This is illustrated via the subject matter and the likely audience of this essay. This is further proven by the fact that Orwell resided in England during the year 1936.

Audience- Orwell’s specific audience for “Shooting an Elephant” is British individuals living under British Imperialism. The author’s target audience is revealed by the subject Orwell centered around. He talks about the effects of British Imperialism and the role it placed him in so the article was clearly for those similar to him.

Orwell’s general audience was anyone in the developed world who encounters or lives under imperialism. The author’s general audience is shown by his centralization on the evils of imperialism and the fact that it lead to the killing of the elephant.

Purpose- Orwell’s purpose in ‘Killing an Elephant” is to show his audience what imperialism causes and what it leads to. He wants to teach readers that imperialism is not a good thing. Orwell’s opposition to imperialism is revealed by his talking about the evils of imperialism he has seen and through the story of the elephant because it clouds Orwell’s judgment.

Speaker- George Orwell, a democratic socialist, believes imperialism is a bad form of society and government. This value is illustrated by his clear opposition and the negative facts he tells us about British Imperialism. He included this value because it was extremely relevant to the message he was trying to portray.

George Orwell’s use of imagery is evident in his description of the elephant’s death, “The thick red blood welled out of him like red velvet…” This furthers the purpose because he wanted to show that imperialism is a bad thing so he showed graphically the death of the elephant.

Tone- George Orwell exhibits a disapproving and negative attitude about imperialism in “Killing an Elephant”. These attitudes are expressed by stories of personal experience and symbolism within his personal accounts. His stories show the negative sides of imperialism he was exposed to and his symbolism shows that imperialism brings about death and the casualty of the freedom of choice. This is supported through him listing the atrocities he saw under British rule and he shows the death of the elephant in a symbolic way that shows how imperialism steals the freedom of choice. This validates my claim by showing the negative way Orwell views imperialism.