The subject of George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant” is the influence that group pressures have on behavior. This influence is illustrated by Orwell’s descriptions of a crowd of Burmans pressuring a police officer to kill a loose elephant, which he was only supposed to control. In this situation, the officer did not truly want to shoot the animal because it seemed peaceable and was a valuable working elephant. However, the crowd behind him saw his gun and could only think of him killing the elephant giving them the parts; the pressure they created overwhelmed the officer, forcing him to kill the creature.
“Shooting an Elephant” was written during the 1920s or the 1930’s. The essay’s time of creation is conveyed by the fact that Burma had previously been conquered by Britain and the effects of imperialism were still strong. It is often noted that the Burmans hated the Europeans, and the speaker is a European working as a police officer in Burma, so we can assume that this must be a time when Burma was still under Britain’s imperial rule. The probable place of the essay’s creation is Burma. Orwell specifically states in the first sentence that he was in Moulmein in lower Burma. The time and place of the essay’s creation influence the essay by shaping the speaker’s views of the government and imperialism. Orwell claims, “In a job like that you see the dirty work of Empire at close quarters.” This shows that his location strongly influenced his views of the government of the time.
George Orwell’s specific audience for “Shooting an Elephant” is the British imperialists. The author’s target audience is exhibited by his anti-imperialist statements. This shows that he wanted his message to reach those who disagreed with him so that he could convince them of the dangers of imperialism. The author’s general audience for the essay is the British in general. The author’s general audience is communicated by his explanation of his views towards the British rule at the time. All of the British people could learn from his expression of opinion, and the British rule is relevant to them.
George Orwell’s purpose in “Shooting an Elephant” is to explain the fundamental problems that imperialism encounters. These obstacles are revealed with this statement: “…when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys… For it is the condition of his rule that he shall spend his life in trying to impress the ‘native’.” This quote demonstrates the meaning of this whole metaphor about the officer being pressured into shooting the elephant. The purpose is further articulated by the ultimate killing of the elephant. This act was one of great sorrow for the officer, but he had to do it because it was the will of the Burmans.
George Orwell, a famous 20th century author, believes that imperialism was a horrendous thing. This value is illustrated by his multiple explicit statements about his distaste for the British Empire. These outright professions of his views prove his hatred. This value definitely influenced the purpose of the piece because the purpose is to convince others that imperialism is wrong. George Orwell’s use of imagery is evident in the eleventh paragraph when he mentions the crowd’s “devilish roar of glee” because he shot the elephant. This imagery helps to influence the audience’s perception of the crowd, and it promotes the idea that these natives were strongly pressuring him to shoot.
George Orwell exhibits a sorrowful and hateful attitude about imperialism in “Shooting an Elephant”. These attitudes are expressed by his sadness about the death of the elephant and his anger at the tyranny of British. His anger and sadness strongly express a sorrowful and hateful attitude. This tone helps to solidify his opinions towards the subject and show that he strongly opposes imperialism. The audience feels Orwell’s pain, and, through this, we are able to understand what he truly wants.
No comments:
Post a Comment