Imperialism In Shooting An Elephant

ghed at.” Seeing as Westerners have been the perpetrators of imperialism for the past several centuries, it is to them that his message is directed.
Purpose: Orwell’s purpose in “Shooting an Elephant” is to persuade his audience that imperialism is harmful to all parties involved. The harms of imperialism are illustrated with Orwell’s words, “I perceived in this moment that when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys.” This evidences the harms of imperialism by showing that the actor nation or individuals become harmed in turn; specifically, through the deprivation of their freedom. The purpose is further articulated by the narrator’s sentiment regarding his decision to shoot the elephant: “And suddenly I realized