Critical Analysis Of Shooting An Elephant By George Orwell

In order to be a great writer, one must excel in reading. Stephen King’s “Reading to Write” explains, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: Read a lot and write a lot” (221). King alludes to the fact that reading improves a persons’ writing skills, such as selecting their tone, word choice, sentence structure, and figurative language. Each essay is a vital learning experience, and in order to be a proficient reader, one must read early and often (222). While reading, one must understand how to read critically, which extends beyond reading for pure pleasure. In the case of George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant,” the reader must understand the use of metaphors and symbolism to truly grasp the context of the essay.

To proficiently read and understand the underlying theme of Imperialism and inner-conflict in Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant,” a reader must note how Orwell’s introduction, use of description, and style weave symbolism into the essay.
Orwell’s introduction weaves together the underlying theme of British Imperialism by describing the hate he receives from the natives. The story opens with, “In Moulmein, in Lower Burma, I was hated by large numbers of people…” stating the hate he receives from the natives for being an Imperial police officer (295). He uses description to explain how the natives treat him and other Europeans, as according to Orwell, “If a European woman went through the bazaars alone somebody would probably spit betel juice over her dress” (295). The contrast between the whites and natives shows the rift between the cultures, thus hinting at the underlying theme of Imperialism. This is evident when Orwell confides that he was “an obvious target and was baited whenever it seemed safe to do so” (295). Additionally, he explains that the Buddhist priests were “the worst of all…none of them seemed to have anything to do except stand on street corners and jeer at Europeans” (295-296). The use of description allows the reader to see the clash between the cultures, as the natives hate being controlled by the British. Orwell uses the introduction to show the reader how he is treated for being European, creating the underlying theme of Imperialism and oppression of the natives.
Similarly, Orwell uses description to allow the reader to understand the narrator’s inner conflict regarding whether or not he should shoot the elephant. Orwell, throughout the novel, thrives to please the Burmese, as he confides that he is “all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British,” although he is an Imperial policeman (296). Although Orwell claims that the “greatest joy in the world would be to drive a bayonet into a Buddhist priest’s guts,” all he wants is to be accepted in the Burmese society (296). When ambling down the dirt road toward the elephant, Orwell describes his inner conflict and his need to please the Burmese by claiming that he does “not in the least want to shoot [the elephant]” (299). However, he uses description to illustrate the size of the crowd that motives him to shoot the elephant, stating:
It was an immense crowd, two thousand at the least on either side. I looked at the sea of yellow faces above the garish clothes--faces all happy and excited over this bit of fun, all certain that the elephant was going to be shot. They were watching me as they would watch a conjurer about to perform a trick. (299)
Although Orwell proclaimed that he had “no intention of shooting the elephant,” his need to please the Burmese leads him to the realization that he should have to shoot the elephant (299). He adds that if he does not shoot the elephant that the “crowd would laugh at [him],” and that his goal as a white man was to not be laughed at by the Burmese (299). Orwell hints that elephant in the room is not the elephant, but rather interracial relations. In order to convey his inner struggle regarding whether or not he should shoot the elephant, Orwell uses description of the natives to show his inner desire to please the Burmese by shooting the elephant.
In addition to using description to narrate his inner conflict, Orwell also uses specific elements of style that explain his reasoning for shooting the elephant.

Orwell’s use of symbolism is perhaps his greatest stylistic technique, as it weaves together the theme of Imperialism. The elephant represents British Imperialism, which Orwell must kill. Meanwhile, the cheering of the natives signifies his conscience throughout the novel. Before shooting the elephant, Orwell describes the crowd using a metaphor, a stylistic element by narrating, “And suddenly I realized I would have to shoot the elephant after all. The people expected it of me and I had got to do it; I could feel their two thousand wills pressing me forward, irresistibly” (299). Orwell uses a metaphor to describe the natives as a physical force, implying his want to earn the respect of the Burmese and go against his duties as an Imperial police officer. Orwell’s need to please the Burmese is seen when he shoots the elephant, freeing himself from representing British Rule. By using the natives as a form of conscience, the narrator is able to come to terms with his inner conflict and earn the respect of the

natives.
The elephant is also symbolic in the story, as it represents the British. The elephant is the central figure of the essay and represents the downfall of the British Empire. Orwell, when narrating how elephant’s doings, claimed that it was not a wild elephant, “but a tame one which had gone ‘must.’ It had been chained up, as tame elephants always are when their attack of ‘must’ is due, but on the previous night it had broken its chain and escaped” (297). Orwell uses the character of the chained-up elephant as a symbol for how the British had broken their restraints and had frenzy while ruling other countries. While the British once governed themselves, they broke their chains and left their homeland to control other civilizations. The death of the elephant also represents the downfall of British Imperialism. When the narrator shoots the elephant, “He neither stirred nor fell, but every line of his body had altered. He looked suddenly stricken, shrunken, immensely old, as though the frightful impact of the bullet had paralyzed him without knocking him down” (301). The slow death of the elephant, who was surprised by the shot, represents the end of British Imperialism. The elephant does not fall right away, but after the second shot, eluding to the fact that the British’s power over colonies did not end at once, but gradually, as more colonies revolted. Orwell’s impeccable use of symbolism stitches together the theme of Imperialism and inner conflict that created an influential essay.
By using an engaging introduction, description, and stylization, Orwell was able to create an influential and symbolic essay. Essays can be used to inform, impact, or provide entertainment for readers. Orwell’s essay was used to inform readers about the British Imperialism’s impact on the colonies, while Stephen King’s “Reading to Write” provided examples to inform readers on how to become better writers. Comparatively, Dave Berry’s “Turkey’s in the Kitchen” is a social commentary on gender roles, instead of a personal essay such as Brent Staples’ “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space.” While Orwell used his writing to inform readers about the horrific effects of British Imperialism, essays can be written for a plethora of purposes, as seen throughout Samuel Cohen’s 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology.