Shooting An Elephant Imperialism

Power has been at the root of much of history’s dilemmas. It’s been what has driven mankind to new lengths and to cross new lands. The struggle to obtain said power is one that has always divided man. This is a force that has affected everyone from all over the world, all across history. This was the case in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, during the time of the second world war. From Germany to Burma to Britain, this was a time period of unrest, according to Burma (Myanmar) Country Review. In the short story “Shooting an Elephant,” George Orwell describes the internal struggle of a British police officer, who is stationed in Burma, when faced with the choice of shooting an elephant. This situation between the two serves as a symbol of imperialism

There was a strong “anti-European feeling” that “was very bitter” (Orwell, 1936). This disdain for all foreign men led the Burmese to harass and act cruelly with any British police officer they encountered. However, it is worthy to mention that these people who acted such way never “had the guts to raise a riot” (Orwell, 1936). Nonetheless, the main character of the story, whose name is never mentioned, also holds a disdain for his own people. This character even goes as far as saying that “secretly -- I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors” (Orwell, 1936). This character clearly has a contradictory way of thinking. The back and forth on where the line crosses (in regards to morality and ethics) juxtaposes his way of thinking and his actions. This man clearly is opposed to the imperial system and empire, which he has decided to work for, yet he is unable to overcome his urge to avenge the humiliation he endures because of the Burmese. Though he holds symbolic authority, and military superiority, in the real world of the Burmese, this means nothing. When imperialism and colonization is actually applied to this country, the colonizers have less of a hold on the people and the land that they have taken than they