Shooting An Elephant By George Orwell Analysis

Justifying the Shooting What justifies the right to shoot and kill any living life form on the planet? Was it for your own benefit or maybe for the good of others around, at end we must question what the true motive this action. There is always a logical reasoning need in this situation, enabling the person to press the trigger and release. That very need for validation is present in George Orwell “Shooting an Elephant.” Resulting in death of a rampaging elephant by the hands of Orwell, his reasons for doing so could stem from his being self-centered and weak. Orwell is looked down upon by the Burmese, not only due to his race but his employment to the Europeans. Bring much hate and hassling through him and what he represents –which is an

(Orwell p.133) People who are known for their high religious standings, yet underneath are bigoted like any other person and even judgmental than most would believe. Subsequently, Orwell’s authority was slim-to-none in the eyes of the Burmese and zero respect was given to him in the Burmese act of a pseudo-rebellion. Yet when danger was upon the Burmese –in the form of a rampaging elephant- they flocked to Orwell for help. In that moment the Burmese ascribe power to Orwell knowing that he was the only one to assist them; only to use him and basically sending him on a wild goose chase. During his investigation of the area to find the elephant, he encountered a murder victim of the elephant. “As soon as I saw the dead man, I sent an orderly to a friend’s house nearby to borrow an elephant rifle.(p.135)” Although it seem like Orwell is doing the heroic action and truly taking charge, he’s really just using this dead man’s life to justify killing the elephant. Having little to no care for this man, Orwell looked pass the death for a moment showing his own prejudice by calling him an