Themes: Crowds and Power
Orwell is in Burma as a representative of the British Raj, the oppressive colonial power. On the surface, the story told in the essay is about the exercise of that power, as the imperial officer kills a large, powerful, valuable animal. The fact that the elephant is placid and harmless, no longer posing any threat to anybody, only underlines the tyranny of the act. However, Orwell repeatedly makes it clear that he shot the elephant against his will. This fact makes it clear that the power lay not with the white man wielding the gun, but with the crowd behind him.
From the very beginning of the essay, Orwell emphasizes the fact that he was powerless against the sheer number of people who hated him. When he was playing football and another player tripped him up, the referee refused to notice, and there was nothing Orwell could do. The people in the town nominally under his control hoot and jeer at him continually, and he is powerless to prevent them from doing so. Every one of the townspeople has more freedom than he has, and it is when he is most ostentatiously displaying his power, killing a creature noted for its size and strength, that he is least free to choose his own course.
Expert Q&A
In "Shooting an Elephant," what connection does Orwell draw between importance and widespread hatred?
Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant" highlights the link between importance and widespread hatred through the narrator's experience as a colonial policeman in Burma. He is despised by the locals, reflecting the paradox of imperialism: to maintain authority, he must act against his morals and fulfill the role of a hated tyrant. The narrator's struggle to be both important and liked underscores how imperial officials are respected only through fear and hatred.
What analogy does Orwell use in paragraph 10 to describe his feelings about the crowd in Shooting an Elephant?
In "Shooting an Elephant", what impressions are created of the officer, crowd, and elephant?
The officer in "Shooting an Elephant" appears self-aware yet conflicted, recognizing the evils of colonialism but feeling disdain for the Burmese people. He reluctantly shoots the elephant, illustrating his role as a colonial instrument. The crowd is depicted as contemptuous and poor, expecting the officer to act violently, while the elephant symbolizes the inhumanity of imperialism, caught in a situation beyond its control.
How do Orwell and the elephant exemplify the illusion of control?
How does the mob provoke the officer in "Shooting an Elephant"?
The mob provokes the officer into shooting the elephant by creating a situation where he feels pressured to avoid appearing weak. Although Orwell initially believes he shouldn't shoot the elephant, the large crowd expects him to act. Realizing that colonial rule demands he impress the "natives," he feels compelled to shoot solely to avoid looking foolish. This moment highlights the oppressive nature of colonial power dynamics and the personal conflicts they create.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.