Shooting an Elephant Analysis

In George Orwell's essay “Shooting an Elephant” (1936), he reveals that he despises the very idea of imperialism. Orwell shows this by using an extended metaphor throughout the entire essay. The metaphor is shown through the story of him shooting an elephant. He is representing the entire British nation, and their imperialistic values. He shows that he does not really want to shoot this elephant if it is not necessary but the Burmese people keep pressuring him to do something and to do it right now. The Burmese in this story represent nations like Spain and France who may be pressuring Britain to show how strong they really are. As Orwell is hearing of the elephant he starts looking for it in the town. The Burmese people are really reluctant at first to tell him were it is. Once he finds the elephant they literally are right on his heels in anticipation to see what will happen,”As I started the whole population of the quarter flocked out of the houses and followed me.”(para. 5) They wanted to do one of three different things. One, they wanted to pressure him to see how he would react. Two, they wanted to enjoy watching him show of his strength by killing this elephant. Third, they wanted to gain something from the killing of this beast, whether it be meat or tusks or whatever one would want off of a dead elephant. This is exactly what the nations of Spain and France would do. They would see how Britain would react to things, see how strong they are, and see if they cannot get anything out of it. Finally the elephant represents the Burmese people. They did not necessarily do anything wrong. They may have killed one English man at one point but it was because he was snooping around. They mostly just live their lives and try and mind their own business. But then the man with the gun has to come and start shooting people. They are being oppressed just like this elephant was being oppressed by Orwell. They are just really being used to show