The phrase "when the white man turns tyrant" alludes to the British Empire's oppressive imperial rule in Burma and the transformation experienced by agents of the colonial regime. The British waged several wars on the Indian subcontinent for control of valuable spices and natural resources. Under European colonial rule, the Native people were disenfranchised and suffered from the discriminatory practices of the British. Throughout the story, Orwell expresses his resentment towards British imperialism and secretly supports the cause of the Burmese civilians.

As a British officer, Orwell experienced the horrors of colonial rule and witnessed countless atrocities firsthand. Orwell briefly describes Britain's tyrannical reign in India by writing,

In a job like that you see the dirty work of Empire at close quarters. The wretched prisoners huddling in the stinking cages of the lock-ups, the grey, cowed faces of the long-term convicts, the scarred buttocks of the men who had been Bogged with bamboos—all these oppressed me with an intolerable sense of guilt.

Agents of the colonial regime transformed into tyrants when they used excessive force to intimidate and control the Burmese natives. However, Orwell recognizes that there is a paradox in regard to the relationship between the members of the ruling colonial regime and their Burmese subjects. Orwell comments that when "white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys." He acknowledges that he acts as an "absurd puppet" and "hollow, posing dummy" who must behave the way the enslaved population perceives him.

As a British officer, Orwell is expected to act like a resolute, composed authority figure at all times. Orwell feels pressure to perform on command in front of the Native people and acts against his will by shooting a peaceful elephant because he must behave like a cruel tyrant. Orwell experiences this epiphany moments before shooting the elephant by realizing that the Burmese are actually in control of his behavior.