6 Questions
Why was the narrator hated by large numbers of people in lower Burma?
He was the sub-divisional police officer and faced bitter anti-European feelings.
What did the crowd do when a Burman tripped the narrator on the football field?
They yelled with hideous laughter.
How did the young Buddhist priests behave towards the Europeans?
They stood on street corners and jeered at them.
What was the narrator's opinion about imperialism at that time?
He believed imperialism was an evil thing.
Who did the narrator support secretly in his mind?
He supported the Burmese and was against the British oppressors.
How did the narrator feel about the job he was doing?
He hated it more bitterly than he could express.
Study Notes
Orwell's Experience in Moulmein
- Orwell was a sub-divisional police officer in Moulmein, lower Burma, where he was hated by many people.
- This was the only time in his life when he felt important enough to be hated by so many.
- Orwell notes that anti-European feeling was very bitter in the town, but it was not intense enough to spark a riot.
Hostility towards Europeans
- European women who walked alone in the bazaars risked being spat on with betel juice.
- As a police officer, Orwell was a target for hostility and was often baited when it was safe to do so.
- Orwell was even tripped up on the football field by a Burman, and the referee (also a Burman) ignored it, prompting the crowd to erupt in laughter.
Buddhist Priests' Behavior
- There were thousands of young Buddhist priests in the town who did nothing except stand on street corners and jeer at Europeans.
- They were the worst offenders in terms of hostility towards Europeans.
Orwell's Thoughts on Imperialism
- Orwell had already concluded that imperialism was an evil thing and wanted to quit his job and leave.
- Despite his official role, Orwell secretly sympathized with the Burmese and opposed their British oppressors.
- Orwell hated his job as a police officer and felt bitter about it.
Test your knowledge of George Orwell's essay 'Shooting an Elephant' set in Moulmein, Burma. The story explores the complexities of imperialism and the moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist. See how well you remember the details and themes of this thought-provoking piece.
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