Umer Mahmood Shafi (2027-10-0091)

Critical Analysis of George Orwell – Shooting an Elephant

George Orwell’s essay “Shooting an Elephant”, explores his experiences as a sub-

divisional Police officer in Moulmein, Burma(1922-27), during the British rule. The main theme
revolves around the writer’s mental conflict between his ideals, societal expectations and the
impact of imperialism on indigenous people and the European Officers stationed there. My
arguments will look into how ably George Orwell portrayed the nature of imperialism and the
struggles with his own morality.
The narrative begins with Orwell expressing the hostility he faced from locals being a
representative of the British Empire. Orwell is caught between his disdain for imperialism and
the challenges posed by the locals’ contempt for him. This sets the stage for the main event -
the encounter with the rampaging elephant which is portrayed as a tragic act reflecting the
brutal imperialistic rule.
Orwell, pushed by the expectations of the Burmese crowd shoots the elephant, despite
his reservations that killing the elephant is unnecessary. The comprehensive description of the
elephant's suffering serves as a powerful metaphor on imperialism, emphasizing the moral toll
of such actions. The narrative delves into the internal struggle of Orwell, highlighting the conflict
between personal morality and dehumanizing aspect of imperialism to maintain a facade of
power. The narrator feels like a puppet in the hands of the "yellow faces" and recognizes the
loss of his freedom as a consequence of imposing tyranny.
Orwell’s anecdotal style allows him to move fluidly between his thoughts and the story's
events; simultaneously raising questions about ethical implications of imperialism and the
psychological impact on its’ enforcers. His portrayal of the elephant's demise and inability to
resist the pressure to preserve British dominion was effective; as Orwell’s belief changes from
"ought not to kill" to "not wanting to kill," persuading us that he is merely a puppet that obeys
higher authority. The concluding discussion about the aftermath of the shooting depicts the
divided opinions among Europeans, reflecting the moral ambiguity surrounding colonial
practices.
The narrative leaves the reader with a sense of unease, contemplating the destructive
forces at play in the imperialistic machinery and the cost of maintaining authority in a foreign
land.