True Power in Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell Essay

The quest for power is one which has been etched into the minds of men throughout history. However, it can be said that true power is not a result of one’s actions but comes from the following one’s own beliefs without being influenced by others. This principle sets up the story for Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell. The protagonist, Orwell himself, is a sub divisional police officer in Burma, a British colony. Orwell must try to find and use his inner power when he is faced with the decision of whether or not to kill an elephant which has ravaged the Burman’s homes. The state of power established through the imperialistic backdrop show that Orwell, as a colonist, should be in control. As well, the perspective and ideas given by Orwell†¦show more content†¦However, any power given to him through the imperialistic setting is lost, because Orwell exists as a part of a minority in Burma. With this dilemma, Orwell notices the difficulties that come with an authoritative figure in a foreign country as, â€Å"[Orwell] was hated by a large number of people- the only time in my life that I have been important enough for this to happen to me.† (144) Due to this hatred, Orwell finds his job to impose order futile because the Burmese people seem to have a tighter grasp on Orwell than Orwell himself. The Burmans appear to be enforcing their power over Orwell through their majority and he experiences this when, â€Å"A nimble Burman tripped me up on the football field and the referee (another Burman) looked the other way.† (144) These acts that the Burmans commit show that power appears to exist in the hands of the Burmese majority rather than Orwell. By placing a colonist within a colony, the writer establishes the feeling that power should lie in the hand of the colonist. However, this concept is shattered because Orwell possesses no power though the colonial setting because of the fact that the Burmese appear to be in contr ol. The lack of power present in the surroundings further enforces the fact that true power cannot come from one’s conquest or authority but only from within. The perspective and ideas given by Orwell show his true character and lessens the overall power set up for him. Although Orwell is aShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Shooting An Elephant By George Orwell988 Words   |  4 PagesEric Arthur Blair, or commonly known as George Orwell, is the author of many compositions. Blair, the author of two of the most famous novels of the 1920s; Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four, was born in Eastern Indian. He joined the Indian Imperial Police in Burma but resigned in 1927 to become a writer (BBC). Orwell’s style of writing can be described as bold and vivid. He puts the truth in his writing. Orwell’s novel, â€Å"Shooting an Elephant,† was published in 1936. In the novel, a colonial policemanRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwells Shooting An Elephant1154 Words   |  5 Pageswe to defy the orders of our higher power? Are we allowed to stand up for what’s right and break the laws for our own beliefs or follow the rule of authority? Are we sheep’s who only do what we are told. Is that the same in Orwell’s case? John F Kennedy once said, â€Å"A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality.† Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell he touches base on morality which makesRead MoreIn the autumn of 1836, George Orwell, a British author, novelist, essayist, and critic wrote an1000 Words   |  4 Pages1836, George Orwell, a British author, novelist, essayist, and critic wrote an essay called Shooting an Elephant. In the essay, he describes his experiences as a white British imperial police officer in Burma. The story takes place in British-ruled Burma. This essay portrays Orwell’s discomfort about Imperialism. In shooting an Elephant, Orwell uses different literary techniques to portray the Imperialism collapsing. In this essay Orwell describes his experience of being pressured into shooting an ancientRead MoreGeorge Orwell s The Elephant1608 Words   |  7 Pagescontroversial topic, did George Orwell want to assassinate the elephant? George Orwell was a sub divisional police officer in Burma that acted under pressure. Despite several claims, George Orwell opposed imp erialism and its rules, yet his actions have muddled several and has caused them to think otherwise. In the beginning of the story, Orwell is essentially harassed and laughed at by the Burmese because he is associated with the British. One day, he is made aware that an elephant has gone loose and hasRead More The Use of Metaphors in Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell864 Words   |  4 PagesThe Use of Metaphors in Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell In the essay ?Shooting an Elephant? by George Orwell, the author uses metaphors to represent his feelings on imperialism, the internal conflict between his personal morals, and his duty to his country. Orwell demonstrates his perspectives and feelings about imperialism.and its effects on his duty to the white man?s reputation. He seemingly blends his opinions and subjects into one, making the style of this essay generally very simpleRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s Shooting An Elephant 1010 Words   |  5 Pagesforced to make can have long-lasting effects on them.†¯In Shooting an Elephant, by George Orwell, the author goes back to a situation in his life when he was a young adult where he had to make a choice between evil deeds. Many years later, the decision still haunted him. It takes place back when Orwell was a British police officer in Burma. He reevaluates his situation in life when he encounters a moral dilemma; to kill or save an elephant. Orwell is a confused and unhappy young policeman who lives inRead More Colonialism and Imperialism Exposed in Shooting an Elephant and Heart of Darkness1360 Words   |  6 PagesColonization Exposed in Shooting an Elephant and Heart of Darkness      Ã‚  Ã‚   As a man is captured, his first instinct is to try and break free from his shackles and chains. Primal urges such as this often accompany humans when they are forced, as in capture, to rely on their most basic instincts to survive. In this manner, natives in Africa acted upon instinct when the Europeans arrived to take their land and freedom. The short story Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell and the novel HeartRead MoreShooting an Elephant bye George Orwell1019 Words   |  4 Pagesmeans a loss of dignity. George Orwell’s short story, â€Å"Shooting an Elephant†, is an ideal example. In the story, Orwell, the main character, works as a policeman in Burma in the 1930s for the British Empire. One day, an elephant tramples loose, and although Orwell has no intent on shooting the elephant, a mob of native Burmese pressures Orwell to shoot the elephant. He reluctantly acquiesces to prevent being humiliated. After that experience, Orwell writes â€Å"Shooting an Elephant† to demonstrate nativeRead MoreLiterary Analysis of â€Å"Shooting an Elephant,† by George Orwell1152 Words   |  5 PagesIn â€Å"Shooting an Elephant,† George Orwell achieves two achievements : he shows us his personal experience and his expression while he was in Burma; he use the metaphor of the elephant to explain to describe what Burma looked like when it was under the British Imperialism. The special about this essay is that Orwell tells us a story not only to see the experience that he had in Burma; he also perfectly uses the metaphor of the elephant to give us deep information about the Imperialism. By going throughRead MoreAnalysis Of George Orwell s Shooting An Elephant 951 Words   |  4 PagesEnglish Dictionary, â€Å"Power: As a quality or property. Ability to act or affect something strongly; physical or mental strength; might; vigor, energy; effectiveness.† The fundamental basis of all power is control or effectiveness, whether it is submissive, illusive, or oppressive. Is true power the ability to forcefully bend one’s will or is it the ability to sway others gently into submission? He with the iron first, does not necessarily rule. In George Orwellâ₠¬â„¢s â€Å"Shooting An Elephant,† the narrator clearly