Shooting an Elephant Group

Question:

danielkim13
danielkim13
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Why does Orwell use the elephant as a metaphor?

Orwell describes the elephant as "dying very slowly and in great agony, but in some world remote from me where not even a bullet would damage him further." For what could this statement be a metaphor?

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Posted by danielkim13 on Wednesday June 10, 2009 at 1:06 PM and tagged with elephant, metaphor.

Answers:


  1. scarletpimpernel Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    Orwell uses the elephant metaphor to represent several elements.

    1.  It represents a death of his innocence so to speak.  As a young employee representing Britain in a foreign land, he did not first realize the often negative impact his country had upon its subjects.

    2. The death of the elephant also symbolizes a rebellion against the rule of the British.  The Burmese people clamor for the elephant's death just as they long to see the death of the huge British Empire's rule in their country.

    3.  The idea of the elephant dying slowly in a "world remote," demonstrates the death of British ideals and ultimate power.  Ironically, Orwell sees the British way of life being destroyed not in Britain where humans might mourn their loss but in a far away land where Britain tried to impose its customs upon others.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/shooting-elephant/historical-context
    http://www.enotes.com/shooting-elephant/themes

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    Posted by scarletpimpernel on Friday June 12, 2009 at 8:46 AM