Did George Orwell Want To Kill The Elephant Analysis
Throughout the course of the years, a variety of people such as scholars, teachers, and historians have discussed a controversial topic, did George Orwell want to assassinate the elephant? George Orwell was a sub-divisional police officer in Burma that was hated by the Burmese because of his association with the British. Despite several claims, George Orwell actually opposed imperialism and its rules, yet his actions have muddled several and have caused them to think otherwise. One day, he is notified that an elephant had broken free from its chains in a rage of “must”. The elephant had caused havoc, destroyed property and killed a man. Orwell in this instant decides to act like a hero and asks to be handed a .44 rifle despite the fact
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They believe that Orwell wanted to kill the elephant because it had viciously killed a man and because he wanted to show the Burmese that he was no coward and could easily eradicate the elephant. Towards the end of the story, Orwell claimed that legally he had done the right thing by shooting the elephant. However, they have failed to analyze Orwell’s emotions and comments before and after the death of the animal. When observing the animal from a distance, Orwell describes it as peaceful and calm and tries to look for reasons not to shoot the creature. For example, when Orwell was in the rice field observing the elephant, he thought of maybe approaching it and if it reacted violently, he would shoot it. Yet, he eventually realized this would not work out because the elephant could kill him and the Burmese would end up laughing about it regardless. Furthermore, after Orwell shot the elephant one is able to tell that he had emotions of extreme guilt because he immediately walks away, disgusted at the terrible decision he had just made. Orwell could have made a better choice by leaving the animal alone despite the fact that the Burmese would think he was a coward, but feared the consequences and cared about his reputation more. In essence, Orwell truly did not want to harm the animal in any way but was pressured and left with no other option than to fend for
They believe that Orwell wanted to kill the elephant because it had viciously killed a man and because he wanted to show the Burmese that he was no coward and could easily eradicate the elephant. Towards the end of the story, Orwell claimed that legally he had done the right thing by shooting the elephant. However, they have failed to analyze Orwell’s emotions and comments before and after the death of the animal. When observing the animal from a distance, Orwell describes it as peaceful and calm and tries to look for reasons not to shoot the creature. For example, when Orwell was in the rice field observing the elephant, he thought of maybe approaching it and if it reacted violently, he would shoot it. Yet, he eventually realized this would not work out because the elephant could kill him and the Burmese would end up laughing about it regardless. Furthermore, after Orwell shot the elephant one is able to tell that he had emotions of extreme guilt because he immediately walks away, disgusted at the terrible decision he had just made. Orwell could have made a better choice by leaving the animal alone despite the fact that the Burmese would think he was a coward, but feared the consequences and cared about his reputation more. In essence, Orwell truly did not want to harm the animal in any way but was pressured and left with no other option than to fend for