the most seemingly complicated and abstract concepts. In Shooting an Elephant‚ George Orwell argues two things. One of these things is small; the other is large. However‚ both are explained by one seemingly insignificant event. The small thing is shooting an elephant‚ and the large thing is how a person’s pride often forces them to give into the pressure from others. At the surface‚ “Shooting an Elephant” is about‚ well‚ shooting an elephant. Orwell narrates the whole
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Reflection on “Shooting an Elephant” “I was hated by… people” and “the only time…been important enough” are words that jump out at me revealing Orwell’s low self-esteem and low self-worth. His essay describes the events that turn his luck enabling him to feel a pseudo-sense of control and authority over the Burmese. Opportunity presents itself in the form of an elephant running amok‚ leaving a trail of destruction and death behind. Unfortunately he gives in to pressure exerted by the locals and does
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_SHOOTING AN ELEPHANT BY GEORGE ORWELL:_ _Commentary_ Political‚ social & ethical issues raised in Orwell’s essay "Shooting an Elephant" create a controversial storyline in which the events metaphorically symbolize the colonial imperialism of the time. Set in Burma‚ 1936‚ the context is based around the anti-European attitudes existent post the Anglo-Burmese Wars. Orwell’s positions‚ as police officer for the despotic British governments‚ required him to hold authority over the Burmese‚ consequently
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There are several ideas that have been prevalent in the texts we have analyzed this year. The three texts 1984‚ Beloved‚ and Shooting an Elephant were the most connected. What brought these stories together were the endemic themes of lust for power and unempathetic control. The reigning parties in these texts all demonstrate an overindulgent need for ultimate power. Being able to place restrictions on every aspect of the oppressed peoples’ lives is what motivates the people in positions of power
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In 1936‚ author George Orwell wrote an essay titled “Shooting an Elephant”. In the essay Orwell describes a scene of a British police officer who is stuck between having to shoot an elephant. The story takes place in Burma‚ India where then‚ they were under British imperialism. Imperialism is a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through diplomacy or military force. It humiliates the occupied people‚ reducing them to an inferior status in their own country. Analyzing Orwell’s work
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We are trapped in a never ending war‚ a war with ourselves and with others. In this war‚ each side is fighting for power. This is the case in the essay‚ “Shooting an Elephant‚” by George Orwell‚ where it can be interpreted that “when the white man turns tyrant‚ it is his own freedom he destroys… he wears a mask‚ and his face grows to fit it.” Through the beginning of the essay‚ a person can consider this thesis to follow yet disagree with the essay. Depending on the way that a person interprets
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Orwell’s autobiographical account of shooting and eventually killing an elephant presents the animal and its death sympathetically as it died a slow‚ painful death. Through the language‚ the author evokes sympathy towards the elephant and a slightly more complex feeling towards the author who‚ although he kills the elephant‚ suffers inwardly during the process and appears to be affected by the Burman crowd’s greed to strip the carcass. In the society Orwell lived in‚ hunting was common amongst
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important political essay “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell. The literary critics gave the text wide recognition and appreciation. It depicts Orwell’s anti-imperialistic view which is presented through the shooting of an elephant. The theme is presented in a fantastic way and this is evident from Orwell’s use of lexis‚ syntax‚ cohesive ties‚ point of view‚ and figures of speech. A closer look at the experiences he had gone indicate that his sentiment matches his objectives and that he has been
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In Shooting an Elephant‚ George Orwell explores the ideology of imperialism. Throughout the essay it is established that Orwell is not in favor of imperialism. By using an officer from the British empire as the narrator‚ Orwell uses the officer to show the evils of imperialism on not only the Burmese but also on the enforcers. Orwell develops his argument against British imperialism through his use of rhetorical strategies such as symbolism‚ similes/metaphors‚ and imagery. One rhetorical strategy
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Paper Prompt 3 “Read carefully paragrphs 11-13 of Orwells Shooting An Elephant. THen write a well-organized essay explaining how the author uses stylistic devices and rhetoical strategies to convey his attitude toward the shooting of the elephant. Elephants were once‚ and are currently‚ considered prized possessions in some parts of the world. The taming of these majestic creatures dates all the way back to BC and‚ since then‚ elephants have continued to hold high value especially ceremonially
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