Part 1: Exploring “Shooting An Elephant” by George Orwell
1. What words could you use to describe the character that Orwell makes of himself in this piece?
He illustrates himself as vulnerable, powerless, weak and, someone who seeks for acceptance. He is also sympathetic yet confused. He is not able to speak for himself and dose what is expected of him. He displays himself as the victim of Burmese.
Orwell was annoyed by the humility he was getting from the native. They made him feel pressured and over whealmed. Orwell was conflicted through the story, he did not know if he should do what he believed was the right thing or if he should go against his morals and be accepted. Throughout the essay he is looking for reasons in order to convince …show more content…
He must complete the task he is given although dose not moroly approve of it. He also claims to understand the true position of whites and the true effects imperialism has.
3. How does the nature of his errand suddenly shift when he sees the dead man crushed by the elephant?
Orwell was supposed to respond by killing the elephant who had crushed the man. However, he feels that the elephant is no longer dangerous and has no intention of killing the elephant. Orwell begins to give the elephant human attributes by referring to the elephant as “he”. He believes that killing the elephant would be considered murder.
4. Orwell writes that he had made up his mind not to shoot… what changed his mind? Why does he make the following statement?
“He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit …show more content…
His statement implies that once we pretend to be someone else we often become the person we were once impersonating. He is forced to play the role of a powerful white man.
5. Please comment on the following line from the story: “And my whole life, every white man’s life in the East, was one long struggle not to be laughed at. “
As the crowed behind Orwell began to grow, the pressure he was feeling also continued to grow stronger.
6. Orwell gives an excruciating account of the undead beast. Why?
By giving an excruciating details he feels the guilt from shooting and ultimately claiming a life. He is also uncomfortable seeing the helpless creature miserable and suffering a slow death.
7. Why do you think he manipulates time in the way he does, deploying two versions of himself (the young naïve policeman and the older wiser writer?)
At the begging of the essay it is clear that Orwell is not confident in himself. He descries himself as a “ill-educated.” Towards the end he beings to accept the terms of what it means to be a white man recognizes that the natives are the ones who truly have the power.
8. What is the effect of concluding not with the elephant’s death, but with the general debate as to whether the author was “in the
1. What words could you use to describe the character that Orwell makes of himself in this piece?
He illustrates himself as vulnerable, powerless, weak and, someone who seeks for acceptance. He is also sympathetic yet confused. He is not able to speak for himself and dose what is expected of him. He displays himself as the victim of Burmese.
Orwell was annoyed by the humility he was getting from the native. They made him feel pressured and over whealmed. Orwell was conflicted through the story, he did not know if he should do what he believed was the right thing or if he should go against his morals and be accepted. Throughout the essay he is looking for reasons in order to convince …show more content…
He must complete the task he is given although dose not moroly approve of it. He also claims to understand the true position of whites and the true effects imperialism has.
3. How does the nature of his errand suddenly shift when he sees the dead man crushed by the elephant?
Orwell was supposed to respond by killing the elephant who had crushed the man. However, he feels that the elephant is no longer dangerous and has no intention of killing the elephant. Orwell begins to give the elephant human attributes by referring to the elephant as “he”. He believes that killing the elephant would be considered murder.
4. Orwell writes that he had made up his mind not to shoot… what changed his mind? Why does he make the following statement?
“He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit …show more content…
His statement implies that once we pretend to be someone else we often become the person we were once impersonating. He is forced to play the role of a powerful white man.
5. Please comment on the following line from the story: “And my whole life, every white man’s life in the East, was one long struggle not to be laughed at. “
As the crowed behind Orwell began to grow, the pressure he was feeling also continued to grow stronger.
6. Orwell gives an excruciating account of the undead beast. Why?
By giving an excruciating details he feels the guilt from shooting and ultimately claiming a life. He is also uncomfortable seeing the helpless creature miserable and suffering a slow death.
7. Why do you think he manipulates time in the way he does, deploying two versions of himself (the young naïve policeman and the older wiser writer?)
At the begging of the essay it is clear that Orwell is not confident in himself. He descries himself as a “ill-educated.” Towards the end he beings to accept the terms of what it means to be a white man recognizes that the natives are the ones who truly have the power.
8. What is the effect of concluding not with the elephant’s death, but with the general debate as to whether the author was “in the