Imperialism in Orwell's 'Shooting an Elephant'

Questions and Answers

What is the main subject of George Orwell's essay 'Shooting an Elephant'?

The main subject is the author's experience as a British imperial police officer in Burma and the conflicts he faces regarding imperialism.

What reason does the narrator give for shooting the elephant?

To avoid looking foolish (correct)

To protect the villagers

To prove his strength

To show his loyalty to the empire

The narrator enjoys his position as a police officer in Burma.

False

The protagonist feels he is merely an __________ controlled by both the conqueror and the conquered.

absurd puppet Signup and view all the answers

What internal conflict does the narrator face regarding the natives?

He harbors both sympathy for the oppressed natives and hatred for the empire he serves. Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator view imperialism?

As an evil thing Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

Imperialism = Domination of less-powerful nations by stronger ones Colonialism = Territorial control and settlement by foreign powers Narrator's role = An agent of the empire, feeling conflicted Public perception = Fear of being laughed at by the natives Signup and view all the answers

Who is the author of 'Shooting an Elephant'?

George Orwell Signup and view all the answers

In which country is 'Shooting an Elephant' set?

Burma Signup and view all the answers

The narrator of 'Shooting an Elephant' was loved by the locals.

False Signup and view all the answers

What did the narrator think about imperialism?

He thought it was an evil thing. Signup and view all the answers

What was the narrator's primary internal conflict?

To shoot the elephant or let it live. Signup and view all the answers

The narrator felt empowered while representing the colonial government.

False Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately motivated the narrator to shoot the elephant?

To avoid looking like a fool. Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator describe his role in the imperial system?

As an absurd puppet. Signup and view all the answers

The narrator feels stuck between his hatred of the _____ and his rage against the natives.

empire Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator conclude about tyrants and freedom?

When the white man turns tyrant, it is his own freedom that he destroys. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Imperialism and Control in "Shooting an Elephant"

The essay "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell is set in British-conquered Burma and explores the themes of imperialism, control, and power dynamics.

The Narrator's Identity Crisis

The narrator, a British police officer, is hated by many in Moulmein, Burma, due to his role as an imperial agent.
Despite feeling sympathetic towards the Burmese and opposing imperialism, the narrator is torn between his duty as an imperial officer and his personal beliefs.
This internal conflict is fueled by the anti-European sentiment prevalent among the natives, which makes the narrator feel guilty and trapped.

Imperialism vs. Colonialism

Imperialism is characterized by the domination of one country over another, often for economic, political, or military gain.
In contrast, colonialism involves the control of a colonized country's territorial domain.
The essay highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of imperialism, where the conqueror may not always have complete control.

The Power Dynamics between the Conqueror and the Conquered

The narrator realizes that, despite being a European, he is controlled by the natives through social pressure and expectations.
The natives, by creating a spectacle around the elephant, force the narrator to shoot it, demonstrating their control over his actions.
This highlights the idea that having power does not necessarily mean having control, and that control can be exerted in subtle and psychological ways.

The Significance of the Elephant Incident

The incident serves as a symbol of the futility of the white man's dominion in the East and the hollowness of imperialism.
The narrator's decision to shoot the elephant is motivated by a desire to avoid being laughed at by the natives, rather than any noble or justified reason.
This event marks a turning point in the narrator's understanding of his role as an imperial agent and the nature of imperialism.

Imperialism and Colonialism

Imperialism is closely related to domination, distinguishing it from colonialism
Imperialism often involves economic, political, or military dominance over a colonized country
In some cases, imperialism can be seen as a reversal, where the natives have control over the conqueror in a different way

The Story of Shooting an Elephant

The story is set in British-conquered Burma, written by George Orwell in 1936
The narrator, a white British imperial police officer, is tasked with shooting a ravaging elephant
The narrator describes the feeling of anti-European sentiment in Moulmein, where the story takes place
The narrator hates his job and is sympathetic towards the Burmese, but is also conflicted about his own role as an oppressor

The Instability of Personality

The narrator's ambiguity towards the empire and the natives leads to a personal conflict within himself
He is torn between his duty as a policeman and his own moral judgement
The narrator's duplicity of thought ultimately leads to an epiphany, where he realizes the pointlessness of his presence in the colony

The story shows how psychological pressure and social status can control a man
The narrator feels pressured by the native crowd, and his decision to shoot the elephant is driven by a desire to avoid looking foolish
The colonization affects not only the powerless natives but also the colonizer, who is controlled by the pressure of social expectations

Imperialism as a Multifaceted Phenomenon

Imperialism is viewed differently by various people, with some seeing it as a noble enterprise, a "white man's burden" to bring culture and civilization to savages
Others regard it as a cruel conquest of powerless people by stronger nations
Imperialism is often reflected in literature as a multifaceted phenomenon, with both positive and negative connotations

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Description

Explore the themes of imperialism, control, and power dynamics in George Orwell's essay 'Shooting an Elephant', set in British-conquered Burma.