In "Shooting an Elephant" The main characters biggest conflict was to shoot an elephant. This was something he did not and typically under the circumstances would not have done, but felt compelled and pressured to do so. If it weren't for the watching Indians this story may have turned out differently. He felt as if he had to do it, cause by not doing it would have been like him demonstrating his and his native country weakness. Being in a county that his native land had a lot of imperial influence, he could not let this happen.
The "Empty Seat" Tells of a man who gets on a bus and unknowingly sits next to a sobbing lady. As the story progresses the lady begins to cry louder and louder,