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Shooting an Elephant

by George Orwell

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Student Question

"Is Orwell an anti-imperialist essayist?" Discuss with references from "Shooting an Elephant".

Quick answer:

George Orwell can be considered an anti-imperialist essayist, as illustrated in "Shooting an Elephant," where he critiques imperialism by highlighting its moral contradictions and oppressive nature. Although he serves as a British official, Orwell secretly sympathizes with the oppressed Burmese. He acknowledges the complexities of his role, as he is pressured into actions he abhors, such as shooting the elephant, reflecting his internal conflict and disdain for both the empire and its impact on native peoples.

Expert Answers

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In “Shooting an Elephant,” George Orwell certainly presents imperialism in a negative light, but his experiences are more complex than merely that. Let’s look at Orwell’s ideas about imperialism to help you get started on your essay.

You might think first about Orwell’s difficult position. He is an official of the British government, yet deep down and in secret, he supports the Burmese and recognizes that the British are oppressors. Yet he still works for the British. He still does the “dirty work” as he must, for he is young and cannot think of a way to get out of his situation. He hates the empire yet serves it at the same time. We might certainly say that this is anti-imperialism.

On the other hand, though, Orwell recognizes that the situation is more complex. He knows that the Burmese despise him and all British, and they subtly show this in many ways, including pressuring him into shooting the elephant. Orwell does not want to kill the animal, but the people would laugh at him if he does not. This is, he says, the struggle of every white man, “one long struggle not to be laughed at.” He does not want to appear to be a fool, and part of him despises the people for putting him in this situation.

Orwell, then, is caught between two worlds, the empire that he dislikes and the native peoples that he dislikes. He certainly expresses anti-imperialist ideas, but he is also aware of the complexity of the situation.

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