Shooting an Elephant Group

Question:

sweetg714
sweetg714
Student
Community / Jr. College

In "Shooting an Elephant," what is it that Orwell and England end up sacrificing when they do not live up to their own principles?

Is it their freedom?

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Posted by sweetg714 on Tuesday October 20, 2009 at 12:19 PM and tagged with england, imperialism, orwell, principle, sacrifice, shooting an elephant, theme.

Answers:


  1. pohnpei397 Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    I would argue that it is not freedom that Orwell and England are giving up.  Instead, I'd say it is their conscience/integrity and their moral authority.

    One of the arguments in favor of imperialism was the idea that the British were more civilized (which implies a higher morality) than the people they ruled.  In the story, Orwell does not want to shoot the elephant -- his conscience tells him he shouldn't.  But he is forced to do so anyway because the crowd expects it of him.  At that point, he loses his integrity and goes against his conscience.

    Similarly, Britan sacrifices its principles of democracy and fair play when it colonizes other peoples, forcing them to submit to British rule.

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

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    Posted by pohnpei397 on Tuesday October 20, 2009 at 12:42 PM