Orwell's “Shooting an Elephant,” is an essay, so it does contain a thesis. Orwell's thesis is that when a white man becomes a tyrant, it is his own freedom that he loses . In the essay, Orwell demonstrates how he loses his freedom to behave intelligently and morally.
What is the theme of Shooting an Elephant quizlet?
In the essay, Orwell explores themes of imperialism, captivity, and authority . The officer struggles with the choice to kill the elephant. His moral compass tells him to observe and report, but he must maintain an atmosphere of authority, holding the rifle among the crowd of Burmese natives.
To educate people on how they can help stop the decline of the language .
What does the elephant symbolize in Shooting an Elephant?
The elephant is the central symbol of the story. Orwell uses it to represent the effect of colonialism on both the colonizer and the colonized . The elephant, like a colonized populace, has its liberty restricted, and it becomes violently rebellious only as a response to being shackled.
Is Shooting an Elephant a true story?
Orwell spent some of his life in Burma in a position akin to that of the narrator, but the degree to which his account is autobiographical is disputed , with no conclusive evidence to prove it to be fact or fiction.
Why does the narrator not want to shoot the elephant?
Why doesn't the narrator want to shoot the elephant? He has never killed a living creature before . The elephant appears to be harmless now. He would be forced to pay the mahout for killing it.
What is the theme in Orwell's narrative that is what idea does he develop regarding white colonialism?
Whar is the theme in Orwell's narrative? That is, what ideas does he develop in regard ti white colonialism? The theme is conscience and most people want to feel superior and equal and focus on becomung equal and superior when they're not.
What is the narrator's position in regards to shooting the elephant?
In the case of the nameless narrator in George Orwell's “Shooting an Elephant,” he is confined within British Burma's imperialistic and tyrannical government. His position as a policeman creates a barrier within himself , as he discovers the conflict between his occupation, and his personal will.
What does the elephant symbolize?
What do elephants symbolise? Elephants represent strength and good fortune . They also symbolise health and happiness and are thought to promote spiritual wellbeing in our daily lives. Elephants are strong and nurturing, they are loyal to their family and are determined and protective.
What does must mean in the story Shooting an Elephant?
Musth or must (/ˈmʌst/; Urdu: مست, from Persian, lit. ‘intoxicated') is a periodic condition in bull (male) elephants characterized by highly aggressive behavior and accompanied by a large rise in reproductive hormones .
What is the principal cultural conflict in Shooting an Elephant?
What is the principal cultural conflict in “Shooting an Elephant”? The Burmese do not want the British in their country. How does the cultural conflict influence the narrator's actions in “Shooting an Elephant”? The fear of appearing foolish to the Burmese causes him to kill the elephant.
What is the resolution in Shooting an Elephant?
The resolution of “Shooting an Elephant” occurs after George Orwell stops shooting the elephant and leaves the scene .
How is Shooting an Elephant an allegory?
“Shooting an Elephant” is an allegory for the system of British imperialism in Asia. The elephant, by destroying the town and killing a man ...
How does Orwell describe cricket?
“In the eyes of any true cricket-lover it is possible for an innings of ten runs to be ‘better ‘ (i.e. more elegant) than an innings of a hundred runs.”
What annoyed the narrator in Shooting an Elephant?
In the end, the Burmese hate the British because they want to be independent from the Empire, and the narrator hates the Burmese because he is part of the Empire (if not exactly an imperialist).
Why did the narrator shoot the elephant?
As a colonial official, the narrator must not let himself become a spectacle before the native crowds. Not shooting the elephant would make him seem like a coward , so he shoots the elephant.
What is the theme in Orwell's narrative?
Thus, British Imperialism as a whole comes under fire in the narrative, a common theme of Orwell's writings. In this short story, Orwell explores important themes such as the evils of imperialism, the crisis of conscience, and the struggle with pride.
What do white elephants symbolize?
The white elephant—which was more often than not stricken with albinism, and thus more a ruddy-pink color—was, and remains to this day, a symbol of success . To possess a white elephant connoted political power, wealth and prosperity, great wisdom, and the love of one's people.
Is elephant mentioned in the Bible?
We do not read , however, of elephants in the Bible until the Maccabean times. True, III Kings speaks of ivory, or “[elephants'] teeth”, as the Hebrew text puts it, yet not as indigenous, but as imported from Ophir.
What does a black elephant symbolize?
It represents spiritual manifestation and seeing a higher perspective . A black elephant in a dream represents big changes headed your way, and large obstacles that you will soon face.
Why are elephants considered as keystone species?
African elephants are keystone species, meaning they play a critical role in their ecosystem . Also known as “ecosystem engineers,” elephants shape their habitat in many ways. ... Their dung is full of seeds, helping plants spread across the environment—and it makes pretty good habitat for dung beetles too.
What is the value of the elephant?
In their report, iworry estimated the raw-ivory value of a poached elephant to be $21,000. In contrast, a living elephant is worth more than $1.6 million over its lifetime , largely because of its eco-tourism draw.
Who is George Orwell's audience?
The audience in “Shooting an Elephant” is Imperial Britain and the Europeans in general . Orwell is speaking to the British population about their Imperial government and how it is ineffective, hurtful, and oppressive to all. Orwell's purpose was to show the oppressiveness of British Imperial rule.
How do the Burmese view the British?
The Burmese disliked that imperialism and the British . How would you feel if your country was under the iron fist of an enormous country who pranced around feeling superior (though not all British people were like this, this was how the Burmese saw the British government).
Where does the rising action begin in Shooting an Elephant?
Middle . The middle of the story develops the rising action, which presents all the events leading to the shooting of the elephant.
What damage does the elephant cause in the town?
In “Shooting an Elephant,” the elephant damages the town by ravaging a bazaar, destroying a hut, raiding fruit stands, killing a cow, overturning a garbage truck, and trampling an Indian man to death .
